Maria Pappasideris, beloved wife, mother, and sister, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, July 6, 2022. Her kind and loving heart, generosity of spirit, grace, and beauty uplifted the lives of all who were fortunate enough to know her and the world is a much poorer place without her presence in it.
Maria was born on February 22, 1947 in Salt Lake City, Utah, the eldest child of George S. Nicolatus and Viola Kerikas Nicolatus.
Maria and her younger brother Stephen grew up on 5th East close to extended family and close friends, including their maternal grandparents and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins. Along with Stephen,
Maria’s six Salt Lake cousins, in particular, were near and dear to her and she lovingly referred to the group of them as her “tribe.” After graduating in 1965 from East High School, where she was an accomplished student, the lead actress in numerous theatrical productions, and a Sterling Scholar in
Drama, Maria attended the University of Utah planning to major in Theater. In college, however, Maria discovered a new passion and graduated from the University of Utah with a Bachelor of Science in Microbiology, one of the first women at the university to obtain a degree in that discipline. After being accepted into several post-graduate research programs, her plans changed when love (in the form of a handsome and charming young man from Bingham Canyon named Harry Pappasideris) struck. She and Harry married on April 25, 1971 and, after living in Southern California for a short time, they returned home to Salt Lake City, where their son Jonathan was born on October 23, 1975.
Maria was a devoted, selfless, and proud mother, and her love for Jonathan knew no bounds. In addition to teaching him to read and write at a very early age (her attempts to convey her love of science and mathematics were considerably less successful, much to her good-natured chagrin), Maria instilled the values of hard work, dedication, good humor, and compassion for others. She exemplified these qualities
herself, serving as a beloved room mother at Jonathan’s school, a favorite Sunday School teacher, and an ever-present caregiver to her parents and aunts in their later years. Maria was especially close with her mother and, throughout their lives, they spent many wonderful hours together listening to music, shopping, and talking as only a mother and daughter can. Maria was truly one-of-a-kind and will be deeply missed.
Maria was preceded in death by her parents George and Vi; her aunts and uncles Mary (Bill) Anton, Helene (Chris) Luras, Effie (Ralph) Carr, Mike (Sharon) Kerikas, Rita (George) Pulos; and cousin John Anton. She is survived by Harry, her loving husband of 51 years; son Jonathan and daughter-in-law Allie
Beck; brother Stephen (Melina) Nicolatus; aunt Maxine Kerikas; sister-in-law JoAnn Colin; one niece; four nephews; and the remaining members of her 5th East tribe – cousins Basil Anton, Geri Carr, Michael Carr, Jim Luras, and John Luras.
With grateful hearts, Maria’s family wishes to thank DeeDee Clough, Natalie Smith, and the amazing caregivers of Sparking Life, who were the angels who brought a smile to Maria’s face and put a gleam in her eye even on the darkest of days; Mark Lopez and Beckie Bradshaw of Health Watch Hospice
and the staff of Legacy Village at Sugar House, who cared for Maria with love and affection; and her excellent physician Dr. Rebecca Moore.
A visitation will be held on Monday, July 11, 2022 at Wasatch Lawn Mortuary (3401 South Highland Drive, Millcreek) from 5:30-7:00 PM. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, July 12, 2022 at 11:00 AM at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral (279 South 300 West, Salt Lake City), followed by interment at
Mount Olivet Cemetery (1342 East 500 South, Salt Lake City).
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to a charity of your choice.
