Mary Edna Siridakis

Mary Siridakis, beloved mother and grandmother, passed away peacefully on August 29, 2021 at the age of 95.  Mary was born in Everett, Washington to Vincent and Augusta Beuzer.  She grew up on McKinley Avenue in Tacoma adjacent to the family business, a grocery store next to the family home.  She attended Sacred Heart Elementary School and Aquinas High School after which she assumed the responsibility for operating the family grocery store while her siblings left for college.

Mary was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother.  She married John Siridakis in January 1953 and they established their home in University Place where she lived the remainder of her life. They raised three children, Jim, Deanne, and John.  Mary worked for Tacoma City Light for many years before devoting her life to her family.  She became widowed at the age of 53 and was suddenly thrust into the role of a single parent and back into the workforce, once again exemplifying unwavering dedication to her family.

Mary was a devout Catholic and tried to practice her faith daily.  She had a special gift in her regard for and interaction with others, accepting each person with unconditional love for who they were and providing empathy for their unique circumstances and life challenges.  Mary expressed herself in a direct yet compassionate manner, sharing opinions that were to the point yet delivered with unwavering acceptance.  She had special individual relationships with each of her grandchildren who were the center of her life.  She was a great confidant to them and privately held many of their thoughts and concerns that they shared only with her. She thoroughly enjoyed attending school and sporting events of her children and grandchildren.  Never was there a birthday, soccer game, school play, or recital that she did not attend, even when she physically endured unrelenting pain.  Mary exuded a keen sense of humor and enjoyed teasing, often accompanied with a wink or twinkle in her eye.

Mary was an avid reader and enjoyed an array of different authors and novels.  She loved ceramics class and made many nativity scenes and works of art for family and friends.  She also enjoyed luncheons and day trips with her senior center friends.  Mary regularly attended a psychic group meeting, where she affectionately was known as, “Mother Mary”.  Many days were spent playing cards, watching Hallmark movies, reruns of MASH, and of course, the Golden Girls.

Mary also had an unwavering love of flowers and birdhouses, colorful outfits with matching accessories, love of black licorice ice cream, all things that glittered, and her ‘must have’ froth in her morning coffee.  She enjoyed listening to an array of music, especially live performances from her generation.  Once the music started, she could be seen tapping her feet, clapping her hands and dancing in her seat.  Mary especially enjoyed holidays and would take pride in baking Christmas treats with her grandchildren that included exceptional baklava, made for her friends, family, and her doctors.  She enjoyed annual vacations with her family at Lake Chelan while also rekindling longstanding relationships with friends.  She was able to enjoy one last trip there just last month.

In life you sometimes take things for granted. Mary was bigger than life and always seemed to bounce back after several health issues which made her family think she was invincible, even though reality told us otherwise.  Mary was our “Rock of Gibraltar” and someone that you relied on for solitude and purpose.  She lived the definition of unconditional love.  She was always there whenever you needed her and was willing to lend a helping hand or advice. How lucky we are to have had Mary walk through life’s challenges and jubilations with us.

Mary is proceeded in death by her parents, Vincent and Augusta Beuzer, brother, Vincent Beuzer,SJ. and sister, Lillian Gould.  She is survived by her children, Jim (Tina), Deanne, John (Kathy), grandchildren: Tanner, Jake, Jaime, Jaclyn, Johnny, Kristy, Carter and great grandchildren: Sirenity, Summer, Alkai and Aliya.

Funeral Mass is scheduled for Wednesday, September 8 at 11am at St. Charles Borromeo Church in Tacoma with procession to Calvary Cemetery immediately following.  Live-streaming available at following link: https://youtu.be/4TTujY_v9eY

Reception to follow nearby at McDuff’s Cafe at 1400 N Highlands Pkwy. Covid precautions will be observed with social distancing and wearing of masks.