Mary Ann Kokkinakis

Mary Ann, age 91, of Ramsey, NJ, fell asleep in the Lord, peacefully, surrounded by her family on December 25, 2024. Mary Ann (nee Andon) was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, to immigrant parents, Ioanna (nee Gregoriou), born in Van, Asia Minor, and Steve Z. Andon, born in Kastoria, Macedonia, Greece.  Mary Ann was predeceased by her sister, Constance.

Mary Ann, and her husband, George, were among the initial founding families of Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in Wyckoff, NJ, dating back to its inception in 1969. For over 50 years, Mary Ann and George were active stewards of the growth and ministries of Saint Nicholas. In 2016, at the Metropolis of New Jersey Clergy-Laity Assembly, Mary Ann was honored by His Eminence Metropolitan Evangelos of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of New Jersey and awarded the “Parish Elder Honoree” for stewardship and dedicated service to the Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in Wyckoff.  Mary Ann served on many Church and philanthropic organizations, including the Saint Nicholas Ladies Philoptochos Society, the Valley Hospital Auxiliary and several outreach programs, providing food for needy families…and participating with the Church of the Presentation-Upper Saddle River, preparing large food trays for families in need of Harlem and Newark. As an active participant in Saint Nicholas’ Bible Study Ministry, Mary Ann was also active in assisting to supply winter clothing for Christmas, including food for Eva’s Community Kitchen-Paterson. Mary Ann enjoyed volunteering for the Annual Saint Nicholas Greek Festival, preparing Greek delicacies and working in the bakery.

While in high school, Mary Ann loved working with children and had a passion for athletic sports that inspired her to become a lifeguard, swimming instructor and to eventually pursue a degree in physical education.  Mary Ann was a 1955 graduate of the University of Cincinnati Teachers College, earning a Bachelor of Science in Physical Education. Mary Ann was a member of the University of Cincinnati Field Hockey and Synchronized Swimming Teams. She held teaching positions in Cincinnati and Wyckoff, NJ.  Mary Ann and George were blessed to have traveled extensively, including a spiritually moving Church pilgrimage to the Holy Lands, where they renewed their Baptismal Vows in the Jordan River; they also visited the Holy See in Constantinople where they were honored to be received by His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew. Mary Ann and George enjoyed ballooning over the vineyards in Napa Valley and Epernay, France… parasailing also in many of the Greek Islands. They shared interests in opera, ballet, and Broadway shows.  Mary Ann enjoyed cooking, gardening, sports; especially University of Cincinnati & University of Michigan athletic sports and the New York Yankees.

Mary Ann & George were blessed to have had a long and loving marriage of 68 years. George predeceased Mary Ann in November 2024. Mary Ann cherished and adored their children...Harry and his wife Maria, Anastasia, Steve and his wife Rebecca, Chris, Anne and her husband William. Mary Ann and George were also blessed with nine grandchildren...MaryAnna, Hannah, Emily, Eric, Alexander, Sarah, Austin, Georgeanne and Abigail who brought much joy and love to their lives.

Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on Monday, December 30, 2024 at Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, 467 Grandview Avenue, Wyckoff, NJ. Trisagion service will be at 10:45 a.m. Funeral service at 11:00 a.m. Interment will follow at Wyckoff Reformed Church Cemetery, 580 Wyckoff Avenue, Wyckoff. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church.

“LOVE NEVER ENDS”

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