Laconia----- Mary K. Spanos, 91, died at the ST. Francis Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in Laconia NH, on Tuesday, September 30, 2014.
Mary was born March 21, 1923 in Lowell, Massachusetts., the daughter of the late John and Sophia (Papoulis) Kosartes. Mary had been a resident of Laconia for sixty-two years and was a hospitality legend. She and her husband, George, owned and operated several successful businesses in the Lakes Region, including the Shangri-La Resort, Lake Shore Park, Stage Inn, Gilford Playhouse, Shalimar Resort and Weirs Beach Realty. Mary had a commanding yet compassionate presence that will be greatly missed by the many, many lives she touched. A successful businesswoman at a time when this was relatively uncommon. Mary remains a shining example to all those who aspire to an entrepreneurial excellence.
Mary was a member of Taxiarchai Greek Orthodox Church in Laconia, NH. She was also a member of the Laconia Chamber of Commerce and the Weirs Beach Chamber of Commerce, a longtime member of the Altrusa Club and a former director of the Bedford Bank, and a perennial member of America’s Who’s Who in American Business Publication.
Survivors include her son, Peter J. Spanos, and wife, Sharon, of Laconia; two grandchildren, Sofia and Carey John Spanos, of Laconia; Mary was one of ten children; She is survived by a brother, Theodore Kosartes, of Chicago, Illinois; sisters, Marina Hantzes and Betty Waranuk, both of Falmouth, Massachusetts., Catherine Hastings of Boston, Massachusetts., Evenor Varsames of Meredith, N.H., Charlotte Dehning of Chicago, Illinois and twenty-nine nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, Mary was predeceased by her husband of 60 years, George P. Spanos, in 2003, a daughter, Charlotte Spanos, sister Susan Megas of Pocasset, Massachusetts and two brothers, Arthur Kosartes of Lowell Massachusetts and Christo Kosartes of Ft. Lee, New Jersey.
There will be no calling hours per Mary’s request.
A private funeral service for the immediate family will be held.
Burial will be in the family lot in Westlawn Cemetery in Lowell, Massachusetts.
Mary’s two grandchildren, Sofia and Carey John were the pride and joy of her life, and she believed very deeply in their education. She was always very fond of the “little catholic school” they attended in Laconia NH. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial donations be made to the Holy Trinity Catholic School Scholarship Fund, 50 Church Street, Laconia, NH 03246. Mary was known to all her grandchildren’s friends throughout the years as “Yia-Yia”, She will be truly missed by so many young and old alike.
Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 164 Pleasant Street, Laconia, N. H. is assisting the family with the arrangements.