MARY DRITSAS-SANTIKOS
JULY 18, 1938 – SEPTEMBER 19, 2021
Mary Dritsas-Santikos, age 83, passed away peacefully in her home on Sunday, September 19, 2021. She was born in Chicago, IL on July 18, 1938 to John and Amalia (nee Sideris) Dritsas. She spent the majority of her early life living and working in Chicago. She was a graduate of Curtis Elementary School, Fenger High School, and later, Fox Secretarial College. Mary had a longterm, successful career as an Executive Assistant working for Monon Railroad in the early days, then for many years at Firestone Tire and Rubber Company and later for Amoco Oil Company. Mary was very active in her church community in Chicago first, at St. Spyridon Greek Orthodox Church and later, at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church.
Mary later joined her daughter Violet in Santa Fe, NM and was a longtime member of the St. Elias the Prophet Greek Orthodox Church in Santa Fe. Mary enjoyed playing tennis, golfing, painting, and the sun and scenery of New Mexico. She cherished the time spent with her granddaughter Cassie.
Recently, Mary joined her daughter Violet once again in San Antonio, TX. She was an independent living resident at The Inn at Los Patios and enjoyed her apartment there and visiting with all the residents and staff. Special gratitude to caregiver, Mignonne, for her extra effort and special comforting care as well as the supportive companionship that she provided to Mary.
The one word everybody used to describe Mary was “sweet”. Mary was definitely a sweet, kind, and gentle soul who always did the right thing. She had grace and class, was always pleasant and personable and was a warm, loving, caring, and giving human being. Mary always touched everybody with her kind spirit. She also treasured spending time with her family and good friends.
Mary was preceded in death by her parents and her older sister, Peggy Pappas. She is survived by her daughter, Violet Santikos; granddaughter, Cassandra Frank; sister, Violet Choncholas and many nieces and nephews, Gary Choncholas, Pamela Schedler, Andy Pappas, John Pappas, Colette Whittenhall, Amiel Pappas, Thad Bonduris, Argie Bonduris, Chris Bond, Shara Graves, Nikki Bonduris, and Heather Bonduris.
Visitation will take place and family will receive friends from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Church on Friday, October 1, 2021. Funeral Service: Friday, October 1, 2021, 11:00 a.m., St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Church, 2504 N. St. Mary’s St., San Antonio, TX 78212. Fr. Thomas Newlin and Fr. Dimitrios Pappas will officiate. The family kindly requests that everyone wear masks while indoors at the church for the funeral service. Thank you for your understanding. Interment will follow at Sunset Memorial Park. Mary’s service will be live-streamed and you may access the link at porterloring.com.
In lieu of flowers, the family would greatly appreciate donations be made in Mary Dritsas-Santikos’ memory to the following two churches: St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Church, 2504 N. St. Mary’s St., San Antonio, TX 78212, stsophiagoc.org, 210-735-5051 (donate online on church website or send check in the mail); St. Elias the Prophet Greek Orthodox Church, 46 Calle Electra, Santa Fe, NM 87508, steliasnm.org, 505-466-0015. (send donations via a check in the mail only).