Mary Kokones Gillespie

Mary Kokones Gillespie, 97, of Virginia Beach / McLean, VA, passed away July 14 in Virginia Beach surrounded by her loving family. Funeral services will be held Monday, July 24 at St. Katherine Greek Orthodox Church, 3149 Glen Carlyn Road, Falls Church, VA. Viewing at 10:30 am, funeral at 11:00. Burial on Tuesday, July 25 at 10 am at Quantico National Cemetery.

She is survived by daughters Elene Paul (Gary), MaryJo McGehee, Corinne Gabriel (Chris), granddaughters Heather Garza (Justin), Ginger McGehee, Alexandra Gabriel (Kara) and Stephanie Gabriel, and the lights of her life, great granddaughter Rilah and great grandson James George, as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

She was born in Detroit toPaul and Helen (Josephides) Kokones on December 6, 1925. She had an older brother, Peter Kokones and twin sister Josephine Fanos both deceased. She was married to the love of her life, George, on July 9, 1950 in Detroit. George died October 21, 2018. She continued to live with Corinne and Chris, with much loving care until her passing.

Mary had a long, varied and rewarding career. After graduating from Wayne University, she began working at numerous firms in Detroit. She moved to Washington, DC after her marriage. She worked at the Pentagon for the Chief of Naval Operations until she was offered a summer position in Senator Homer Ferguson’s Detroit office. Later, she worked for Senator William Nolan (R-CA) for several years. Mary had the opportunity to travel to over 38 states with Dwight Eisenhower’s Truth Squad. It was an experience she never forgot. She then worked for Congressman John Brademas (D-IN) until 1981 when he lost his election bid. She went on to be the Executive Assistant to the President of the National Cable Television Association (NCTA) until she retired in 1994.

She and George loved to travel, he accompanied her to many NCTA conventions in Las Vegas where he hung out at the pool while she worked. Previously, they went to London and took a Windjammer cruise to the Caribbean. After she retired, they took a trip to Greece and on to Turkey where they went to the village where Mary’s parents came from. One of their favorite places to travel was to their condo on Sanibel Island, FL, where many family members had condos as well at Sanibel Arms. It was a wonderful Greek community. They also spent many happy times with family at their beach house in Corolla in the Outer Banks.

Mary was very active in the Philoptochos Society at Sts. Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church, where she managed the yearly bake sales and had many innovative ideas such as creating special pre-made cookie boxes. At Easter, you would see her dyeing many dozens of red eggs for the church to sell. She also dyed over 800 eggs for handing out at the Anastasi service.

She loved to garden and was an extraordinary cook. Thanksgivings and Christmases in McLean were feasts to behold. She taught her daughters (and granddaughters) how to cook and bake all the Greek delicacies she was famous for: cookies – kouriambiethes and koulourakia, and karithopita nut cake. One never left Mary Ellen Court hungry. If expecting 15, she cooked for 25! There were many happy pool parties in the summer.

Mary had a strong love of family and was loved by all who met her. She was a second mom to many of her daughters’ and granddaughters’ friends.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation to St. Katherine Greek Orthodox Church or Sts. Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church, 701 Norwood Road, Silver Spring, MD 20905.