Obituary of Mary Safar
Mary Francis Safar, 85, passed away Sunday, October 28, 2018.
She was born in Skopia Florina, Greece, on May 15, 1933 to the late Louis and Sophia Noleff. She immigrated to the United States when she was 13 years old. She had a ninth grade education then went to work in a factory to help support her family. She met John Safar in July of 1950 at the Falcon Lake Park polka picnic and they were married five months later.
Mary had a vision like an architect. She built three homes and remodeled two. She knew everything about the building process and was always her own general contractor, hiring the best Amish subs that she could find. She loved everything about it and was very proud of what she accomplished. She was a licensed beautician who had a salon set up in her basement washing, cutting and perming hair for her family and friends.
Mary had an amazing mind. However, she could never rest her mind. Unfortunately, dementia is a terrible disease. She struggled with it for many years after having mini strokes. After her grandson passed away, she went downhill quickly. That sudden loss was too much to bear.
Mary loved video poker slot machines. She would win thousands (but also spend thousands to win those thousands). She and John traveled to the Bahamas for 17 straight years, every month from October through March, and loved driving to Windsor as well. We are amazed she didn’t need shoulder surgery from the damage of the repetitive pulling of the slot machine handle. They traveled all over the world taking many cruises over the years. As the dementia progressed, her love of traveling was greatly reduced. She just wanted to be home and sleep in her own bed.
Mary was a wonderful cook, never following a recipe, and you never left her house hungry or thirsty. She loved Greek/Macedonian music and dancing.
Preceded in death by her brother Tom Nolan, her sister Ann Skeriotis, and her beloved grandson Marc Daniel Salopek, she is survived by her loving husband, John, who never left her side during their 68 years of marriage and especially at the end. He was always with her and lovingly says she is 1 in 100 million. She is also survived by her sons John (Debbie), Bruce (Joni), and daughter Julie (Mark) Salopek, her grandchildren John (Val) Safar, Erin (Kyle) Ostergren, Matt and Katie Safar, Marisa and Michael Salopek, and great grandson Landyn Ostergren, with a great granddaughter on the way. Her grandchildren and great grandson were the pride of her life. She loved them very much.
The family would like to thank the doctors and nurses in the Palliative Care Unit at Summa for their wonderful care of Mary in her last days. You are truly special people and made her passing more bearable.
As a family we ask that in her memory have your favorite drink and toast “Nasdravia” (cheers/to your health) to celebrate her life. She would want that.
The family will receive friends Thursday, November 1, 2018 from 4 to 7 pm at the Anthony Funeral Home Kucko-Anthony-Kertesz Chapel, 1990 S. Main St Akron OH 44301where a Parastas services will be held Thursday at 7:00 pm. Funeral services will be held Friday, November 2, 2018 at 11:00 am at St. Thomas Eastern Orthodox Church, 555 S Cleveland Massillon Rd, Fairlawn, OH 44333 where the body will lie in state one hour prior to services. Interment Holy Cross Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Thomas Church.
John loves her with all his heart for all eternity.
