Mary L. Shammas

Mary L. Shammas, age 80, died peacefully at home on Tuesday, December 20, 2016. Mary was born in Detroit on January 17, 1936, the daughter of Saleem and Evelyn Mahfood. She grew up in Jamaica, but returned to Detroit and graduated Marygrove College in 1954 with a Bachelors in Business Administration. In 1957 Mary Mahfood married George Shammas at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Kingston, Jamaica. The young couple settled in Detroit where George was an active member of his family's business. After her family was raised, Mary assisted her husband with his food brokerage business, and worked briefly in retail at the Jacobson's store in Grosse Pointe. Mary was known as a gourmet cook and was devoted to her family and friends. She was active in the community and served in many volunteer capacities. She was a member of the Fontbonne Auxiliary at the St. John Hospital and Medical Center in Detroit and was a former president and chairman of the White Christmas Ball. She was also a former president of the Northeast Guidance Center. Mary is survived by her husband of 59 years, George; their two sons, Gary Shammas (Mary) and Roger Shammas (Kim); their three grandchildren, Brittany, Madelayne and Nikkolas and her three brothers, Ferdinand Mahfood (Patricia), Joseph Mahfood (Laurie) and Robin Mahfood (Gail), and many other members of a loving family. She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Saleem, and her sister Pam. A memorial mass will be celebrated at 12 noon Tuesday, December 27, 2016 at Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Church, 467 Fairford Road at Morningside in Grosse Pointe Woods. The family will receive friends at the Church after 11:15 a.m. Monsignor Gary Smentenka will officiate. In lieu of flowers, memorials to the Food for the Poor, 6401 Lyons Road; Coconut Creek, FL 33073 would be appreciated. In the Food for the Poor donation form, please enter the code SC82886 in the "NOTES box" along with her name.

Funeral Home:

A. H. Peters Funeral Home of Grosse Pointe

20705 Mack Avenue

Grosse Pointe Woods, MI

US 48236