Mary Christ Vasiliades

Mary Vasiliades, 94, passed away Friday March 28, 2025 after a series of long term illnesses. Mary was born in Lakewood, New Jersey to parents Christ and Soultana, who emigrated from Greece. Her father established the Astor Restaurant, before bringing Soultana to the US. Mary had one brother, James, who passed away in 2002.

After graduating from Lakewood High School, Mary got a job working for the Lakewood Daily Times in Lakewood, New Jersey. Mary so enjoyed her experience at the paper,she attended the University of Missouri School of Journalism in Columbia, Missouri, graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism.

The journalism degree served Mary well. Mary worked numerous jobs as a reporter for newspapers, writing for magazines, and serving as the public relations officer for a large New York City hospital. (‘Death Wish’ was filmed in this hospital) At the end of her career, Mary worked for a dozen years as a speechwriter, and an editor for the Anti-Defamation League.

Mary worked her many jobs to support her activism. Mary lobbied for the ERA; attended and helped organize demonstrations for Equality; wrote numerous articles about violence against women; served as a board member of Now 1973; wrote for the Majority Report Collective 1972; volunteered for National Women's Political Caucus and was in the press office at the Democratic convention in 1976.

Mary loved to play tennis and ice skate.

Mary met her wife, Debra McNerney in 1996 in White Plains, a northern suburb of NYC. Mary was first to introduce herself to Debra at a function with friends. They were together from then on. They were married in 2015. They traveled extensively around the world finally settling in Boynton Beach, Florida.

Mary and Deb joined St Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Lake Worth Beach in 2021. Their life together was vibrant and filled with humor and adventure. They were together until the end.