Obituary of Maria Mpakarakes
Please share a memory of Maria to include in a keepsake book for family and friends.
Maria "Mary" Mpakarakes, a long time Denville resident and owner of J&M Gourmet Foods peacefully passed at her home with her family at her side the evening of Christmas Day at the age of 93.
For decades Mary welcomed and served customers of J&M with her friendly smile earning her a reputation as a generous and gift giving person. Mary was equally giving of herself to her family as a loving mother and selfless grandmother. She dedicated her life to her family and instilled in her children and grandchildren the importance of family and Christian values. She was a woman who saw the good in everyone.
Born to Elias and Vasiliki Stathi in Thespies, Greece, Mary emigrated to New Jersey after marrying her late husband, John, in 1939, and established the Denville Market which later was renamed J&M Market (for John & Mary).
Following her husband's passing in the 70's, Mary continued to work and run J&M with her son Tom and daughter Betty for more than 70 years. Further serving her community, Mary was a long standing member of the Eastern Star Fraternal Organization.
Besides her husband John her adoring daughter Penayota "Penny" died March 6, 1963.
Mary is survived by her son, Tom and his wife Carol of Denville, daughter Vasiliki "Betty" Kelly and her husband Jack, of Panther Valley, four grandchildren; John Kelly, Maria and husband Christopher Galvin, Christopher Kelly, and Marianne Mpakarakes as well as many close friends and other family members.
Services will begin at 9:00AM on Wednesday December 30, 2009, at Norman Dean Home for Services 16 Righter Ave Denville, NJ 07834, and then going to St. Andrews Greek Orthodox Church in Randolph, NJ for a 10:00AM funeral service. Interment will follow at Locust Hill Cemetery in Dover, NJ. Friends may visit at the funeral home on Tuesday December 29, from 2-4 & 7-9PM.
The family requests in lieu of flowers, donations can be made to:
St. Andrews Greek Orthodox Church 1447 Sussex Turnpike, Randolph, NJ 07869
973-584-0388. Please indicate in the name of Mary Mpakarakes.
Share your memories of Mary with the family and others touched by her by lighting a candle under Mary Mpakarakes' obituary at:
www.normandean.com
