Mary Dounias

Mary Dounias was born on June 29,1928 in Pasadena, California to William Nicholas Dounias of Kalamata, Greece and Pearl Remalia Dounias from Warren, Ohio. She spent her younger years in Los Angeles, California moving to Moorepark, California where she graduated from high school. As a young girl, she and her four brothers grew up on their parent’s orange ranch in Moorepark.She loved cheerleading, going to the beach, roller skating and going shopping with her mom. Her Dad was her rock. After graduating high school, she met and married her husband Richard Hays, and together they raised their five children in Oxnard, California, until moving to Friend, Nebraska in 1962. Mary was a member of the The Order of the Eastern Star in California.She worked as a medical assistant for 15 years in California and after moving, worked at the medical clinic in Friend, Nebraska.Upon moving to Omaha, she worked as a sales rep for Pace Membership Warehouse for 8 years, and in public relations at Baker’s Supermarket for several years before retiring. Mary was so proud of her Greek heritage. Visiting her family in Athens, Greece, and her father’s village in Kalamata, were some of her best memories. She loved and celebrated her Greek Orthodox faith and was very involved in her church. A member of the Greek Orthodox Ladies of Philoptochos Society, Mary loved being a part of the many festivals and traditional Greek holidays, preparing the flowers for Holy Week and actively participating in numerous activities within the church. Her church family and friends were so very important to her. Mary had many interests, including cooking, decorating her home, or just relaxing while watching Wheel of Fortune, Jeopardy or working her crossword puzzles. She loved shopping with her daughters and going out for Greek food with her grandsons.Spending time with her family was her favorite pastime of all.When she was younger, her outgoing personality kept her active dancing, listening to music and socializing with good friends. Mary led a healthy life, and occasionally, even running marathons in her younger years! First and foremost, in Mary’s life has always been her family. Nothing made her prouder and gave her more joy than being with, and bragging about her 5 children, 11 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren. Her calendar was always filled with a concert, graduation, birthday party or celebration - and she wouldn’t have had it any other way.What a wonderful legacy of love and strength she left to her family. Mary was proceeded in death by her parents, and four brothers, Theodore, Nicholas, Jim, and Frank Dounias. She is survived by her children, Ted Hays (Deb), Jan Fuller (Don), Patty Krasser (Paul), Sally Talbott (Bruce), Cheryl Glashan (Paul), Grandchildren, Cory Fuller (Kristie), Nick Fuller, Jason Fuller, Rick Hays (Deb), Travis Hays (Leah), Christy Hochstetler (Brice), Darrin DiNapoli (Amanda), Michael DiNapoli, Christopher DiNapoli (Sara). Adam Krasser (Dawn), Jessica Chase (Jeff) and 20 great-grandchildren. She will never be forgotten; her light will always shine. Visitation: Thursday, August 27, 2020, 5-7:00PM with Trisagion Prayer Service at 6:30PM at Braman Mortuary (Southwest Chapel) Orthodox Burial Service: Friday, August 28, 2020, 10:00AM at Braman Mortuary (Southwest Chapel) Interment: Wyuka Cemetery, Lincoln, NE Memorials to All Holy Spirit Greek Orthodox Church To livestream the service and for more details visit www.bramanmortuary.com BRAMAN MORTUARY (Southwest Chapel) 6505 S. 144th St. Omaha, NE