Mary Diacopoulos Georgatsos

Mary Diacopoulos Georgatsos, of North Bethesda, Maryland, peacefully passed away on January 23, 2025 at the age of 95 surrounded by her loving family and caregivers. Always proudly claiming her native Washingtonian roots, Mary was born September 6, 1930 to Menas N. and Helen Tsintolas Diacopoulos. Mary is survived by her two devoted children, Christopher Nicholas Georgatsos and Christina Eleni Georgatsos-Warder; and loving grandson, Michael Menas B. Warder. She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 54 years, Nicholas C. Georgatsos, in 2009, her mother Helen in 2004 and her father Menas in 1981. Mary leaves a large and extended family who cherished her deeply. She is survived by her most special cousins, Nicholas and Evelyn Lambros, Martha Lambros, her in-laws Peter C. and Janet Georgatsos, and Evelyn Balodemas. She is also survived by a multitude of cousins, nieces, nephews, Godchildren, longtime neighbors and lifetime friends.

During the past few years Mary was most fortunate to have lived in the comfort of her beautiful home, surrounded by the things she cherished and loved most. This was the result of the immense dedication, commitment, love, compassion and care by an amazing team of caregivers; Junelyn, Melissa, Marcela, Delia, Zenaida and Marion Joy. Our family is eternally grateful.

Mary grew up in Washington, DC where she graduated from Calvin Coolidge High School in 1947. She continued her education and received a medical secretarial school degree which led her to work for a prominent Washington doctor. She eventually joined the federal workforce and served in the office of the Secretary of Agriculture. She met her future husband, Nicholas C. Georgatsos, then a student at George Washington University, just before he was deployed to Korea as an Army M.A.S.H unit medic. Upon his return, the courtship continued, and they married on June 5, 1955, at the newly constructed Saint Sophia Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Washington DC. They have the honorary distinction of being the “first wedding” to take place in the new cathedral!

During the early years of their marriage, they lived with Mary’s parents. At the behest of the Department of Navy, Nicholas received a two-year overseas assignment and was stationed both in Greece and Italy. Upon their return to the states, they moved to their new home in North Bethesda in 1965 where they raised their two children and enjoyed many memorable years including holidays, family & neighborhood gatherings and other milestone occasions. Truly it was always a warm, welcoming and loving family home.

Mary reentered the workforce in the mid-1970’s as an administrative assistant to the director at The American Occupational Therapy Association. She worked in this capacity for several years through the early 1980’s. She greatly enjoyed her time with this organization. After Nicholas’s retirement in the late 1980’s, they embarked on a mission to travel the world extensively. While trips to Greece were first and foremost on the agenda, they expanded their itinerary and traveled throughout Europe, the United States including Alaska , and points south.

Mary was a dedicated member of her Greek Orthodox community. As a young girl during WWII she helped with the Greek War Relief Fund, sewing clothes and preparing care packages for children in war torn Greece. In later years, she served her community as an active member and president of the Ladies Philoptochos Society of Saint Sophia Cathedral, a national philanthropic organization. Additionally, she served on the national board of the Philoptochos Society and was a delegate-representative at Clergy-Laity Conferences. Her family roots run deep within the DC Greek American community, and she proudly maintained a detailed historical chronology of people, places and events that affected her community throughout the decades. Though her family roots began in the Saints Constantine & Helen Community, they eventually branched out to the sister communities of Saint Sophia Cathedral and St. George/Bethesda.

Mary lived an extraordinary life filled with unsurpassed kindness, laughter, and a deep love for both family and friends. She was a trusted and wonderful friend to all, a gifted listener, always compassionate and understanding, and was known for her generous spirit. Mary always carried herself with impeccable style, quiet elegance, poise, grace and charm.

Mary leaves a legacy which reflects a life well lived, a rich tapestry and one filled with joy, laughter, loyalty, generosity and devotion to all who had the privilege of knowing her. May her memory be eternal and a blessing to us all, and may she continue to live on in the hearts of all who knew her.

A visitation will be held on Thursday, January 30th, 2025, from 5:00 p.m.- 6:30 p.m. at Saints Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church of Washington DC, located at 721 Norwood Rd, Silver Spring, MD 20905, with funeral services immediately following.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Saints Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church of Washington DC. Interment Private.