Obituary of Mary Emeromistis

Mary Emeromistis, age 94, passed away peacefully at home in Peabody, MA surrounded by loved ones. She was the only child of George and Smaragdo Emeromistis, and born in Peabody, MA on September 30, 1922.When she was 9 months old her mother died and her father took her to Greece to live with her mother’s family. Her father returned to Peabody but Mary grew up in Greece and endured the deprivations of the invasion and brutal occupation of the country during World War II. She rejoined her father in the United States in 1946. In 1946 she accepted a teaching position at the ST. Vasilios Greek School and began a career that lasted sixty years. The school the oldest continuously functioning Greek school in the United States, offers instruction in the Greek language, as well as the traditions, customs and culture of the Greece. In 1952 she was appointed principal and continued that position until her retirement in 1998. After her retirement, she continued to serve as a substitute teacher and faculty advisor until 2006. After 60 years of service, she limited herself to attending graduation ceremonies and ethnic celebrations. During her long career, Emeromistis received numerous awards and citations. In 1988 she received the St Vasilios Parishioner of the year award at a banquet attended by more than 350 parishioners. In 2008 she a was given the annual Diocese Ministry award by Metropolitan Methodios, and 2013 at the age of 90, she received the community spirit award of the Peabody chambers of Commerce. Emeromistis also worked for more than 30 years as the administrator of the alterations department at Jordan Marsh, during that time, she declined to accept several promotions offered to her because they would have required her to relinquish her teaching career. She is survived by relatives in Greece, by close friends including Adamantia Loris and her daughter Theodora Loris with whom she resided and countless former students who loved and respected her, and who remain the enduring legacy of her long life and career. Her wake will be take place at St. Vasilios Church on Monday evening December 19, 2016 from 4:00-7:00pm with the funeral services to be held on Tuesday December 20, at 10:00 am. Interment will follow at Greens Lawn Cemetery in Salem. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Vasilios Greek School, 5 Paleologos St Peabody, MA 01960. Assisting the family with arrangements is the Conway, Cahill-Brodeur Funeral Home of Peabody. For guestbook please visit www.ccbfuneral.com