Mary Pappas Canelakes

April 16, 2015 was when we lost the incredible life force of Mary Pappas Canelakes. Mary was loved by all, she was funny, pragmatic, and always there to lend a hand when needed. She lived a full 92 years and stayed sharp until the end. She left this world peaceful, her loving family with her at her daughter’s home which was her “home away from home”. Mary was born in Jacksonville, FL on July 22, 1922 and moved to Palm Beach County as a young girl where she was raised. Her father who predeceased her, Charles Pappas owned a popular restaurant, bar and liquor store, the Patio Grill in West Palm Beach. Mary worked there as a young woman as a hostess, which is where she spent many happy years. She later met her husband, John Canelakes at a wedding and lived briefly in Waukegan, Illinois where her daughter was born. Mary later worked for 25 years at the Palm Beach County Property Appraiser’s Office which she retired from in 1988. During her time there she made many lifelong friends. After this when her grandson Charlie and “light of her life” was born in 1991 her primary focus was being Yia Yia and helping to care for him. The two of them were a team and had an unbreakable bond. She became Yia Yia to all of Charlie’s friends as he grew, loved by all. She was one of the founding family members of St. Catherine’s Greek Orthodox Church in West Palm Beach, FL and a charter member of the Daughters of Penelope. She is survived by: her sister, Effie Comninos; her loving daughter, Dessie Caraccio; and her greatest love of her life, Charles Caraccio, her grandson. She will be remembered and loved forever. Friends may visit from 6:00 – 7:00pm on Sunday, April 19th. A Trisagion service begins at 7:00pm at the Dorsey-E. Earl Smith Funeral Home, Lake Worth, FL. Funeral services will be held at 10:30am at St. Catherine’s Greek Orthodox Church, 110 Southern Blvd., West Palm Beach, FL 33405. Interment will follow at Woodlawn Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the church or the charity of your choice.