Obituary of Mary Lou Bezbatchenko

Mary Lou Bezbatchenko (nee Mares), died peacefully at home on January 26, 2013. She was born on September 2, 1931 in Oak Park, Illinois to Robert Mares and Genevieve (Hertel) Mares. She moved to Akron as a child and remained an area resident for the remainder of her life. She graduated from Garfield High School and then the University of Akron where she was a member of the Delta Gamma sorority. After graduating she began a career at Ohio Bell until she was married in 1954 to William Bezbatchenko Jr. She then became devoted to raising her family and volunteering in the community and her church. Later she worked for American Greetings until she reached retirement age. She loved music, opera, and performing arts, and was a voracious reader. She also was an avid bridge player. Mary Lou loved to travel and took countless memorable trips throughout the U.S. and abroad with her friends and family. She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents and her sister Catherine (Kitty) Mares. She is survived by her son Paul, daughter in-law Linda and grandchildren Leah and Will, and by her son Jim, daughter in-law Siobhan Dolan and granddaughter Kate. Her family would like to thank her caregivers Lisa, Barb, Theresa and Sandy for providing loving care during the last days of her life, as well as Palliative Care and Hospice of Summa. A special thank you to our neighbors Gary and Diane Canter for their many years of genuine kindness and support. The family will receive friends on Monday from 5-8 pm at St. Nicholas Orthodox Church 755 S. Cleveland Ave. Mogadore, OH 44260, where a Parastas will be held at 7:30 pm. A funeral service will take place on Tuesday, 11:30 am at the church, where Mary Lou will again lie in state for one hour prior to the service. Interment will follow at St. Nicholas Cemetery. (Anthony Funeral Homes, Akron, 330.724.1281, anthonyfh.com) Please honor Mary Lou's memory by making a donation to ALS Care Project either online at www.alscareproject.org or by mail at 4450 Belden Village Street NW, Suite 704A, Canton, OH 44718.