Mary Faye Karras Shaia

Shaia, Mary Faye Karras
May 8, 1941 - Nov. 25, 2017
During her 33 years as a middle school guidance counselor in South Bend, Indiana, Mary Faye (Karras) Shaia touched the lives of hundreds of adolescent boys and girls.
When Mary and her husband, Bill, were cleaning out cabinets recently, they unpacked a trove of cards, letters and notes of appreciation from those students, their parents and her fellow faculty members.
Those notes were reflective of Mary's life of service to her community, her friends and her family.
"There were students who wrote her after high school or college stating what a positive significance she had made on their lives," said Bill.
Mary Shaia died Saturday, Nov. 25, 2017, in Sarasota, Florida. She was 76 years old.
The daughter of Steve and Joanna Karras, she was born May 8, 1941, in South Bend. She earned degrees from the National College of Education and Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois. She was South Bend Community School Corporation Teacher of the Year in 1988.
Her community service extended to years of involvement with the Good Samaritan Society of St. Andrew Greek Orthodox Church in South Bend. After she and Bill moved to Sarasota in 2002, she served two terms as president of P.E.O. Chapter DM, and established a scholarship fund for young women there.
She and Bill were married for more than 47 years. They met when she was ending an eight-week internship at a South Bend hospital and Bill, as the newly hired director of human resources, was assigned to conduct her exit interview. He'd been speaking with his predecessor in the hospital cafeteria when Mary walked in.
"Who is THAT?" Bill interrupted the other man. At the end of his interview with Mary a few days later, he asked her to dinner, and the next day told a friend that he'd met a "stunning looking woman" who was also smart and sweet and that he intended to marry her. They married on June 26, 1970, in South Bend.
She was known for her love of gourmet cooking and contributed 32 recipes to the Junior League Cookbook in South Bend.
She is survived by her husband, Bill, of Osprey, FL, daughter, Kareme M. Shaia of Orlando, FL, brother, S. Andrew Karras of Raleigh, NC, and nieces, Nina L. Karras of Raleigh, NC, and Kelly (Brendan) Krause of London, England.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Dec. 1, at Saint Barbara Greek Orthodox Church in Sarasota. Burial will be in South Bend, Indiana.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to P.E.O. Chapter DM Scholarship Fund, 4471 Streamside Court, Sarasota FL 34238, or to Tidewell Hospice.
Arrangements by Toale Brothers Funeral Home.