Shrewsbury – Mary (Economou) Kiritsy, of Shrewsbury, MA, passed away peacefully on Tuesday March 19th, 2024 with her loving family by her side.
Mary, who celebrated her 93rd birthday on February 8, was born and raised in Kifissia, Greece. In 1947, she met Paul Kiritsy, while he was visiting the homeland at a family gathering. Atop majestic Mount Lykavittos, overlooking Athens, with the glowing sunset resting on the ancient city, they fell in love. They were married in Worcester, Massachusetts on June 10, 1951.
With courage inspired by her young love, Mary came to this new country at the age of 18 and experienced all that this new world and life had to offer. She and Paul soon started a family and she became the backbone of the family raising 5 children, while supporting Paul as he pursued several fruitful entrepreneurial endeavors, including the highly successful Mosaic Fabrications, which was the leading fiber optic company of its time.
In the richness of life, Mary and Paul had their share of challenges and tragedies, with the loss of their 16 year old daughter, Helen, in a house fire in 1973. For Mary, who first and foremost defined herself as a protector of her children, it was a heartbreak like no other. Yet, she somehow was able to persevere and find the strength and faith to be the rock of the family, demonstrating a “superhuman” mom trait. During the trying times, she showed her most notable attributes of supreme sacrifice, dedication, grit, and, above all else, unconditional love.
As part of her dedication to family, when the needs presented themselves, Mary broadened her skill set and entered the workforce. Mary enjoyed several different career opportunities, including first serving as a resource for educators at the Teachers Book Store in Auburn, retail service clerk at Shrewsbury Town Cleaners, sales at Astra Pharmaceuticals and excelled as a perpetual leader of health insurance sales at the Small Business Services Bureau. In each of these endeavors, she was exemplary, with supervisors lauding lofty praise for her welcoming customer service, aptitude, and ethos.
Upon retirement in 1996, Mary shifted her energies to her growing family of 12 grandchildren, taking up duties as a caring grandmother on behalf of her four kids. She became known as “Yiayia Fire” (after the movie “Mrs. Doubtfire”), where she would pick up grandkids from school and play games, cook and just listen to their stories until the parents came home from work. During these times, Mary would bestow wisdom, dedication, frugality, creativity and love; lessons that are now ingrained in her 12 grandchildren’s lives.
As the kids grew older, YiaYia Mary was able to bask in the glory of her defining legacy as she witnessed the blossoming of her family. Whether enjoying family reunions at Cape Cod or spending Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays together, Mary and Paul would beam with joy to see this beautiful masterpiece they helped create-22 from 2 with the newest arrival of her first great grandchild in 2023.
She and Paul were role models for their family, forging a 65 year synergistic partnership that provided strength in challenging times and happiness as they were perfect complements to each other.
Among Mary’s hobbies, she enjoyed knitting, sewing, often making dresses for her daughters, and cooking. Whether it was Friday night pizza night, where she made pizza from scratch, or hosting large Easter celebrations preparing traditional Greek dishes for 30 family and friends, her food was delicious and always sought after. Mary served on the leadership board of Saint George Greek Orthodox Church Philoptochos, until moving to Shrewsbury, MA, and has been a long standing steward of Saint Spyridon Greek Orthodox Cathedral.
Mary is predeceased by the love of her life and best friend, Paul in 2016. Mary, leaves three sons and one daughter; Charles P. Kiritsy and his wife, Christine, of Paxton, Anna Kiritsy Tsitsilianos, of Worcester, William P. Kiritsy and his wife, Sylvia, of Holden, and Christopher P. Kiritsy and his wife, Molly, of Newton; 12 grandchildren, Paul Kiritsy and (Heather Soltis), Zachary Kiritsy, Dr. Michael Kiritsy and (Dr. Christina Kunycky), Dr. Andrew Tsitsilianos, Dr. Nicholas Tsitsilianos, Helena and (Ryan) Kazijian, Zoe Kiritsy and (Kevin Falcone), Joshua and (Grace) Kiritsy, and Alexander, Hannah, Benjamin and Elias Kiritsy, and one great grandchild James Charles Kiritsy. She also leaves a sister Stella (Economou) Christoforou, two nieces and their families in Greece. She is predeceased by her daughter, Helen Kiritsy, her son in-law Emmanuel Tsitsilianos and her brother Michael V. Economou.
On behalf of Mary, we would like to thank the caring and compassionate nursing staff at the Holy Trinity Healthcare Center.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, the 27th of March, at 9:30 am at St. Spyridon Greek Orthodox Cathedral, where family, friends, and all who were touched by Mary will gather to pay their respects and bid her a fond farewell. Following the visitation, a solemn funeral service will be conducted at 11:00 am at the Cathedral, honoring Mary’s cherished life and legacy. Mary will be laid to rest in the sacred grounds of Hope Cemetery, where she shall find eternal peace.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Spyridon Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 102 Russell Street, Worcester MA.
To share a memory or offer an online condolence, please visit the “Tribute Wall” on this page.
The Miles Funeral Home, situated in Holden, MA, has been entrusted with the sacred responsibility of assisting the family during this time of mourning and remembrance. Their compassionate guidance and unwavering support shall provide solace to all who seek comfort.
MAY HER MEMORY BE ETERNAL
