Maria Kastanakis

Maria Kastanakis, 93, of Pensacola, Florida, passed away on December 24, 2013.

Maria was born in Pensacola on October 30, 1920, the oldest of four siblings, to Harry Kastanakis and Annie Mae Mazurek Kastanakis. She lived most of her life in Pensacola.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her sister, Ellen Kastanakis Murtha; her brother-in-law, Vincent Murtha; and her sister-in-law, Jean Adkins Kastanakis. Maria is survived by her two brothers, Harry Kastanakis, Jr., (Nadine) of Gulf Breeze, and John Kastanakis, of Huntsville, AL. She is also survived by nephews Philip Murtha of Colorado; John Kastanakis, Jr. of Huntsville, AL; and Harry Kastanakis III of Navarre, FL, and nieces Priscilla Murtha; Julie Kastanakis of Huntsville, AL; Renee Kastanakis of Atlanta, GA; and Advine Mazurek Meyer.

Maria attended Pensacola High School, where she was Valedictorian of the Class of 1938. She was a very talented piano and accordian player, and when she was young she played her accordian as entertainment at the popular B&B Restaurant on Palafox Street. She attended Florida State College for Women (now FSU), where she attained the highest scholastic average in her Freshman class.

Maria spent 10 years working in banking in Pensacola and New Orleans. Through most of her life, she regularly attended Christ Episcopal Church in downtown Pensacola. As a child, she and her younger sister Ellen sang in the choir there.

Burial is at Bayview Cemetery, where a private family service was held. The family requests that any donations may be made to Christ Episcopal Church, 18 W. Wright Street, Pensacola, 32501, or to the charitable organization of your choice.