Mary Syracopoulos

Mary Lou Syracopoulos, cherished wife, mother and yiayia died peacefully on September 1st in company of her adoring family and friends after a short illness. Preceded in death by parents, Cornelius and Marguerite Willemsen, she is survived by her husband of 37 years, Dean, children John Steven (Ellen) Syracopoulos and Katherine Elena (Garret) Conley, grandsons Leo, George, Gunnar and Killian, brothers Jan Willemsen and Michael (Jan) Willemsen, sisters Margie (James) Ritter and Karen (Dale) Gokel, numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and her oldest and dearest friend, Bonnie Trickett. Baptized as Roman Catholic, she remained a faithful member of the Church. She attended public school and after graduating from Buchtel High in 1961, she worked in San Francisco. She returned to Akron where she was employed by B.F Goodrich and later attended the University of Akron to study mathematics while maintaining her role as a full-time mother. Over the following years she graced many of Akron's most noted restaurants where her skills in serving thousands of diners were watchwords in the trade. Whatever she chose to do, she did with exemplary professionalism, whether it was running an office, restoring order to beleaguered small businesses or serving those around her. Foremost in her life was her devotion to her family, her children and her grateful husband who said on more than one occasion that though his mother and father brought him to the world, it was his beloved Mary Lou who kept him in it and alive. Wife, mother, yiayia, she is loved like the light and the stars. How we shall all miss her and can take as our one consolation that she now resides in a paradise beyond all worldly cares and has our hearts with her. Calling hours will be Friday, Sept. 7, at St. Vincent de Paul Church, 164 W. Market St. Akron, Ohio, from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM. Mass of Christian Burial to follow at 11:00 AM with internment at Mt. Peace Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, Mary Lou has asked that contributions be made to St. Vincent de Paul Church and Hospice of the Western Reserve.