Mary Psalidas Obituary

Mary Psalidas, 92, of Gloucester, wife of the late Nicholas C. Psalidas, passed away in her home with her family at her side on Wednesday, July 27, 2022. Mary was born in Peabody, MA and was the daughter of the late George and Helen (Griveas) Mandragouras.

The most important things in Mary's life were family and friends, and her life was filled with both. Mary radiated love and warmth during every moment she spent with them. She always welcomed everyone with a smile and a hug. For many years, Mary worked alongside her husband Nick and brother-in law Anthony at Cape Ann Supermarket. The market was the hub of their lives. Many of Mary's closest friends were the people she worked with and their families. Over the years, their business grew but its foundation remained constant: hard work, friends, and family. When remembering those years, Mary would smile and say we got to know so many nice people.

Mary truly enjoyed dancing, cooking, and knitting. Mary and Nick loved dancing together. If there was music, she and Nick were on the dance floor! Mary's cooking was delicious. Her door was always open, and no one ever left hungry or without a smile. Her kourabiedes were legendary. Over the years, Mary made them for countless family parties, weddings, and showers. For Mary, knitting was purely social. Dish cloths were always on her needles. She could easily knit them and still talk with her friends. Mary's dishcloths graced the kitchens of her entire family and pretty much everyone she knew!

In their retirement years, Mary and Nick spent winters in Punta Gorda, Florida. There they connected with the extensive Gloucester community in the area. Mary and Nick's home soon became part of the regular rotation where everyone spent time filled with friendship, laughter, and food. That strong Gloucester community, as well as frequent visits from Helen and Charlie Orlando, Jennie and Bob Laidlaw and Mary's family helped Mary continue to spend time there after Nick's death until she could no longer make the trip.

Mary lived her entire life with kindness and love. During Mary's final years, her "family" grew to include those caring for her: Lisa, Melissa, Karen, Vina, Mildred, Tricia, Kirsten, Cindy, Marjorie, Jennifer, and Charlene. What began as care giving, transitioned to relationships based on trust and love.

She is survived by her children, Tina Lamson and her husband Steve, of Gloucester, Elaine Tibbetts and her husband Scott of Gloucester, Charles Psalidas and his wife Jennie of Gloucester; her brother, Peter Mandragouras and his wife, Vivian of Reading; her sister-in-law, Joan Mandragouras of Beverly; her grandchildren, Matthew Lamson and his wife, Idalia, Timothy Lamson and his wife Meghan, Nicholas Lamson and his wife Jennifer, Jason Psalidas, Nicole Alves and her husband Dave, Andrew Psalidas and his wife Lindsay, Anthony Psalidas, Alexandria Psalidas, Nicholas Psalidas, and his fiancé, Meghan Murphy, Aaron Tibbetts and Katina Tibbetts.

She was predeceased by her husband of 49 years, Nicholas Psalidas; her brother, Theodore Mandragouras and his wife Joanne; her sister, Georgia Miragias and her husband Elias; her brother, Harry Mandragouras, and her brother-in-law, Anthony Psalidas.

Her visiting hours will be held in the Greely Funeral Home, 212 Washington St., Gloucester on Wednesday, August 3, from 4-7 p.m. Family and friends are cordially invited.

Her service will be celebrated in the Assumption of the Virgin Mary Church, 8 Lafayette Road, Ipswich, on Thursday, August 4, at 10 a.m. with her burial to follow in Rosedale Cemetery, Manchester, MA.

Donations can be made to the Assumption of the Virgin Mary Greek Orthodox Church, 8 Lafayette Rd., P.O. Box 6, Ipswich, MA. 01938.