Mary Yannekis

CONCORD - Mary Diamond Yannekis, passed away peacefully at her home, in Concord, with her children at her side. She was born January 8th, 1929 in Dover New Hampshire to Diamond (Bograkos) and Charles Kageleiry.

Mary leaves her children, Gia Yannekis & son-in-law Jens Ostergaard, Greg Yannekis & daughter-in-law Emmy Roth, and her three grandchildren, Gia, Eli and Theo. Her Kageleiry family includes; brothers James, Harry, Peter and Greg Kageleiry and sister in-laws Fran, Barbara, and Jane Kageleiry from the Dover area, numerous Kageleiry nieces and nephews, and Mary’s three goddaughters Roileen Chamberlin, Heidi Kageleiry Turcotte, and Diana Chamberlin Babson. Finally, the Ohio branch of the Yannekis family; her brother-in-law Greg Yannekis, nieces Sharon, Ilona, Penny, and Tina and nephew Nick Yannekis.

She was predeceased in 2015 by her beloved husband of (almost) 60 years James N Yannekis, her parents Diamond (Bograkis) and Charles Kageleiry, her sister Sophie Kageleiry Chamberlin, and her brothers Zack, Nick, and George Kageleiry.

Mary lived and attended schools in Dover, NH graduating from Dover High School in 1947 and MacIntosh Business College in 1949. During her years in Dover Mary and her brother George were the glue that helped hold the family restaurant, the “Kagie” Spa, together. While in high school Mary was involved in MANY activities leading to this notation in her senior yearbook “Mary has been a guiding star in the class of 1947 at Dover High School. Truly an all around girl and she proved to be a strong link in the long chain of Kageleirys” and was voted Most Likely to Succeed. Following the Kageleiry athletic tradition she played both basketball and field hockey while at Dover High School. Mary was very proud of her award from the Daughter’s of the American Revolution.

Mary moved to Concord, NH shortly after marrying Jim Yannekis in 1955. After the birth of her daughter Gia, Mary’s focus was on raising her children. In addition, Mary was very active in the community, she was a member of the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Concord participating as a member of the Philoptochos, the choir, and as a Sunday school teacher. She also supported her children as a Brownie troop and Cub Scout troop leader.

After retiring Mary and Jim traveled extensively and found their winter home in Aruba, which they visited for almost 30 years. Mary and Jim’s spent February in Aruba and we trust they are there now with their Aruba “family”. In Concord, Mary volunteered at the Havenwood nursing home and at the city’s soup kitchen.

Mary became a regular on the Concord to Boston bus run, visiting her grandchildren, Gia, Eli and Theo whom she adored.

Calling hours will be held Wednesday February 8th, from 3:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Bennett Funeral Home, 209 N. Main St., Concord. A Trisagion Service will be held during calling hours at 6 p.m. at the funeral home. Funeral services will be held Thursday February 9th at 10:00, at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 68 N. State St., Concord. Burial will follow at Blossom Hill Cemetery in Concord. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Friendly Kitchen, 2 S Commercial St, Concord, NH 03301.

Arrangements are entrusted to the Bennett Funeral Home of Concord.