Mary G. Bokides
April 6, 1929 - Nov. 27, 2008
Tuesday, December 2, 2008 10:20 AM PST
Weiser
Mary G. Bokides 79, Weiser passed away Thursday, Nov. 27, 2008, in Colorado.
Mary was born April 6, 1929, in Baker City, Ore. She was married to Theodore N. Bokides and was the daughter of George and Haetho Speropulos.
Mary had two younger brothers, Nick and Chris Speropulos; all of whom preceded her in death.
Mary was raised in Weiser, Idaho, and returned there to raise her own family. She spent much of her childhood at the Speropulos ranch near Cuprum, Idaho. When she was 10 years old, her family moved back to Greece for a year, returning to the United States just as World War II broke out. This experience shaped her sophisticated world view and approach to life.
Mary met Ted Bokides at the Greek Orthodox Church in Denver, Colo., while attending Colorado Women’s College where she was studying English and Journalism. They were married in 1949 and lived first in California before settling in Weiser.
Mary was a born leader and would take charge of any project, big or small.
She attracted donations from throughout the tri-state area to expand the Intermountain Cultural Center and Museum. She and her family were founding members of the Greek Orthodox Church in Boise, and she served Philoptikos, a Greek women’s organization, in many capacities including president.
She was an Eastern Star, Girl Scout leader, PTA president for many years, a Red Cross and March of Dimes volunteer and president of the Women’s Golf association.
Mary was vibrant, intelligent, hard-working, caring and elegant. She had a love of life that was obvious to all who met her. Her voracious appetite for knowledge spanned from world politics to business to family and friends. She was a natural strategist and thinker. Her devotion to her family and friends was evident in everything she did. She was always thinking of ways to make the world, or even a small piece of it, better.
Her quick wit and indomitable spirit made her the life of any gathering; and she loved gatherings, both big and small. She got energy from being around people and gave out even more. Mary also loved to debate. To her, nothing showed she cared quite as much as a freshly baked spanikopita and a debate just as hot.
More than anything, she was a devoted parent, grandparent, daughter and wife. Her children recall that she expected a great deal – yet gave them the freedom to make their own decisions. She was an active golfer and wicked pinochle, bridge and poker player. She was financially adept and spent much of her time following and investing in the stock market.
Mary is survived by three children, Nicholas T. Bokides, of Weiser, Idaho, Heitho Bokides Reuter, of Lebanon, Ore., and Dessa Bokides of Denver, Colo.; and twelve grandchildren: T. Nicholas, Chris, Dessa, Eric and Steve Bokides, Theodore, John and George Reuter, David, Mitchell, Greg and Charlie Fay; daughter-in-law, Kathy Bokides; son-in-law, William Fay; as well as many nieces and nephews. Her son-in-law Thomas Reuter, preceded her in death.
An orthodox funeral service will be take place at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2008, at the Thomason Funeral Home, in Weiser, followed by the burial service at the Hillcrest Cemetery in Weiser. Viewing will take place from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2008, at Thomason Funeral Home.
The family has requested that, in lieu of flowers, donations be sent to the Mary G. Bokides Memorial Fund at the Weiser Memorial Hospital, 645 E. Fifth, Weiser, ID 83672 or St. Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church, 2618 West Bannock, Boise, ID 83706. Condolences can be sent online at www.lienkaemper-thomason.com.
