SALEM - Mary K. Spiers, 89, of Salem, Massachusetts quietly passed away at the Kaplan House in Danvers, MA on August 15, 2014. She was known to most as Kay.
Kay was born in Peabody, MA on September 22, 1924 to Stelios and Ekaterini Pappadopoulos, who had immigrated to America in 1914 from Greece. She was a first generation Greek and proud of her heritage. She was well-known for the Greek dishes she made for special occasions and family celebrations. Baklava and Pastitsio (Greek baked macaroni) were her specialties.
Mary Kay was educated in the Peabody School System. She had many careers during the course of her life. In the early years, she worked in leather factories. Later on, she worked for the Sylvania Company and the Shetland Company. For many years, she was a waitress at the Moose in Salem. Kay also baked and decorated cakes for weddings and special family celebrations. Her interests included bowling, cake decorating, bingo, and most of all, spending time with her family. For many years, members of her family would gather at her home for cook-outs.
From 1942-1946, Kay was married to John Thomas Hazard. In 1958, she married Homer D. Spiers, known to many as simply “Doug”.
Mary Kay is survived by her sister, Effie Barbrick; her son, David Vincent Hazard (his wife, Anne) of Lisbon, Maine. Four grandchildren: Jason D. Hazard (his wife, Buena) of St Johns, Fl. ; Kimberly C. Johnson (her husband, Ryan) of Brookline, N.H.; Mathew DeCelle of Beverly, MA; and Michael DeCelle of Salem, MA. She also had 8 great-grandchildren.
She is predeceased by her parents, Stelios and Ekaterini; her husband, Homer D. Spiers; her daughter, Joyce Ann Negron; her sisters: Helen I’talien, Pauline LeBlanc, Anne Denault; and her brothers: Charles Pappadopoulos, Steve Pappas, and Christy Pappadopoulos.
Her funeral service will be held Wednesday, August 20, 2014 at 10 am in the Full-Spychalski Funeral Home, 84 Washington Square East, by Salem Common, Salem. Visiting hours are Tuesday from 4 to 7 pm. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited. Burial is in Greenlawn Cemetery, Salem. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Kay’s memory to Care Dimensions, 75 Sylvan St., Suite B-102, Danvers, MA 01923. For on-line guest book visit www.SalemFuneral.com.