Marie (Hetherington) Kalfas

Marie (nee Hetherington) Kalfas was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on September 23, 1941, to Helen (Beach) and Francis Hetherington. She is preceded in death by her beloved husband Edwin (Salty), her son Michael, her daughter Melissa, and her brother William.

Marie graduated from Saint Maria Goretti High School in Philadelphia. After high school she worked at the Philadelphia Quartermaster Depot, the Head House Inn and, along with many family members, at Luigi’s Restaurant.

Marie married Edwin “Salty” Kalfas and became the mother of five children. Somehow, she had time to host unforgettable Sunday dinners that included her many siblings and mother. Sometimes Sunday dinners were over twenty people.

Marie loved to travel, dance, go to the theatre and visit museums. She drank grappa in Rome, marched in a parade in Ireland, and watched her husband put mustard on expensive cheese in Salzburg. Marie enjoyed trips and adventures, taking her children and grandchildren on vacations at the beach, Bushkill Falls, Knoebel’s Amusement Park, the Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania, and canoe trips on the Delaware river. In her calmer years, Marie enjoyed reading historical novels and doing crossword puzzles.

Her role as mother and grandmother was the most important thing to Marie. This is where she drew her strength and left her legacy. Being with her family was what Marie enjoyed most of all. Her life had many obstacles, yet through it all her love and caring for her family remained her focus. Family traditions, birthday celebrations, and holidays were cherished, and her cooking and baking made them even more special.

Many of her children and grandchildren carry on her love of cooking, baking, travel, art, dance, and reading. To say Marie will be missed, does not even come close.

Marie is survived by her children Edwin (Danielle), Francis (Beth Rachkis), and Amy (Joseph Dunn); her grandchildren Cameron, Katie, Christine, Michel, Ashley, Micheline, Sean, Justin, Brian, Regan, Eddie, Anthony and Darren; her great-grandchildren235 Capri, Billy, Lily, Bobby, Mason and Patton; her sisters Claire McDaniel, Joan (Patrick Campbell), Helen (Stephen LaCheen), and Anna Maria (John Naulty) and her brother Francis (LuAnn) as well as a host of other relatives and friends.

The family requests those who wish to express sympathy to consider donating to their favorite charity in Marie’s name in lieu of flowers.