Mary Strangas

DOVER - Mary (Grekas) Strangas, 88, of Dover, died Monday, December 3, 2018 at the Wentworth-Douglass Hospital with her family by her side, after a seven month illness. She was born May 22, 1930 in Sanford, Maine, the daughter of Stephen and Angela (Tourkakis) Grekas, and had resided in this area most of her life, with more than 80 years of that time being in Dover.

Mary graduated for Dover High School, Class of 1948, and started out her work life working for a time at the Dover City Hall. Later she worked for a few years in shoe manufacturing, the "shoe shops" in Dover, along with her husband James whom she married May 10, 1953. Eventually, she and Jim went out on their own, becoming self-employed, spending the vast majority of their working lives as such; and working hard and long hours, had much success. They owned several businesses in the area. Among them, for almost 30 years, Mary's Laundromat, in Rochester; Mary's Clothes N Things; the PolyClean Laundromat in Dover; the Kittery House of Pizza; and other real estate holdings in the area.

Mary was a lifetime member of the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church; a church and community that she loved and held close to her heart; and in which she was a very active member. As part of her involvement, Mary was a 70 year member of the choir. She also was past president, vice president, and treasurer of the Alkistis Ladies Society. She played a key role in the Alkistis' largest fundraiser, a Greek pastry sale held annually just before Easter, which she was at the forefront of organizing. Mary also oversaw the organization of the mercy meals at church, after parishioners passed away; known as the "Makaria" ministry.

Additionally, Mary participated, along with many others, in the preparation for the large Greek festival held annually at the Hellenic Center. And each year, during the festival, she would be seen at the checkout in the pastry section, with her beautiful smile, and a kind word for the folks coming through the line.

Mary loves God and Jesus Christ. She loved her family, and friends of whom she had many. She had a fantastic personality which drew people to her. Mary loved life in general, and gave great joy to all who knew her; a true beautiful soul inside as well as out. She was the light of her family's lives, and at its' center. She is already greatly missed, and will be until we meet again.

Members of her family include her husband of 65 1/2 years, James Strangas of Dover; two sons, William Strangas and Peter Strangas, both of Dover; her sister, Tina Georgakis and her husband, Charles; and her beloved niece, Angela Georgakis, all of Beverly, Massachusetts.

She was predeceased by her sister, Joanne Grekas.

SERVICES: Visiting hours will be Thursday, December 6, 2018, from 4-7 p.m., at the Tasker Funeral Home, 621 Central Ave., Dover. The Trisagion will be held at 6 p.m. The funeral will be Friday December 7, 2018 at 11 a.m. at the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, 93 Locust St., Dover. Burial will follow in the Annunciation Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in her name may be made to the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, 93 Locust St., Dover, NH; the Alkistis Ladies Society, 93 Locust St., Dover, NH; or to the Dover Children's Home, 207 Locust St., Dover, NH 03820. Please go to www.taskerfh.com to sign the online guest book.