Merry Toscas

1926 - 2016

Merry Toscas (nee Angelos) passed away on Wednesday, February 10, 2016, in Chicago, Illinois, surrounded by her family. Treasured wife of the late George James Toscas; adored mother of James George (Stacey) Toscas, Paula (Andrew) Pappas, Margo Toscas, Pamela Toscas, Angela (Daniel) Gordon, and Michelle Toscas; loving grandmother to George, Pericles, Mariana, Krystina, Wesley, Sophia, and George; great grandmother to James, Elena, Konstantin, Gabryiel, and Phoenyx; cherished sister to Mychal (the late Dorothy) Angelos, and the late Angelo Angelos; dear sister-in-law, "Aunt Petite," godmother and friend to many. Born on December 7, 1926, Merry marched to the beat of her own drummer for all of her 89 years. Changing her name at 17 from the more pedestrian Mary to "Merry," she was unafraid to stand out. In her youth, Merry was well known for her beautiful singing voice, regularly singing Greek songs on The Greek Hour, a local Chicago radio program and competing on the popular Morris B. Sachs Amateur Hour. While raising her family she was active in various community organizations, including the American Cancer Society and the Beverly Hills Junior Women's Club. An effervescent combination of Joan of Arc, Clarence Darrow, and Elizabeth Taylor, Merry was fearless, intelligent, laser-focused, and beautiful, with an unquenchable and infectious zest for life. She pursued her work with enthusiasm and diligence, according to her oft-repeated maxim "do it right or don't do it at all." Merry had wide-ranging tastes. She was as happy with a Janson's hotdog (everything, no relish) as with a filet (rare) at Eli's Steakhouse. She loved lilacs picked fresh off the branch as well as a fragile and exotic gardenia. She enjoyed movies (RoboCop, buttered popcorn) at the local movie theater as much as her season seat at the Lyric Opera (Madame Butterfly). She wore "girl scout" shoes around the house and Ferragamos going out. She was an avid reader, moving seamlessly from Danielle Steele to the Merck Manual. She was authentic, down-to-earth, and dazzling- all at once. She drew you in with her laughter, generosity and kindness. Everyone who met her knew it: There's something about Merry. But perhaps the aspect of Merry's life that defined her best was her complete, boundless, and eternal love for the one man in her life, her husband George. This love, which was returned in kind, provided the energy that drove her life. Merry will be lovingly remembered and deeply missed. Visitation Monday 3:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Chapel Hill Gardens South Funeral Home, 11333 S. Central Ave. Oak Lawn. Family and friends will meet Tuesday morning at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church 10301 S. Kolmar Ave, Oak Lawn for a 10:00 a.m. funeral service. Interment Evergreen Cemetery. Contributions in memory of Merry may be made to St. Nicholas Church, Oak Lawn, Illinois, or the American Lung Association. May her memory be eternal! For info call 708-636-1200 or visit www.chapelhillgardenssouth.com