Mary Louise Theodoropoulos

Mary Louise Theodoropoulos, a Phoenix native, was the youngest of four children born to Greek immigrant parents. Mary was born on April 11th 1942 in St. Joseph’s Hospital as were her siblings, her children and some of her grandchildren. 

Mary attended Franklin and Kenilworth Elementary Schools, Phoenix Union High School, Phoenix College and Arizona State University. Mary was a very active, lifelong member of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral. She sang in the church choir most of her life and as a child attended Sunday School, Greek School and the Maids of Athena. She had many friends and cousins with whom she spent a lot of time with and had fun traveling to Long Beach or other trips with the girls. 

Through the church she met and married Gus Theodoropoulos in Phoenix in 1968. They had three children, Sandy, Ted and Nikki. Mary loved being a mom and made sure her kids played sports, took piano lessons, were active in the church and joined any activity they wished. 

Then in 1973 Gus and Mary opened what would become a longtime Phoenix favorite, J.P. McGurkee’s Sandwich Shop. Mary was known for her Greek salad dressing and for her tuna sandwich. She loved to greet and chat with the regular customers, many of whom became dear friends. 

Mary was the cornerstone of her large, extended family and hosted everyone every Christmas Eve, planned Easter gatherings and family picnics and camping trips. 

Mary’s true love and focus was her Orthodox faith and involvement in Holy Trinity. She was instrumental in creating the Orthodox Parent’s Association (OPA) which organized the church youth groups, Greek dance groups and even summer camps. She was a very active member, and for many years, was president of the St. Katherine’s chapter of Philoptochos Society (“friend of the poor”). She was very involved in the development of the Holy Trinity Hellenic Historical Museum and was even listed as a co-author of the book titled, Greeks in Phoenix. She was a lifelong member of the church choir. She especially enjoyed singing the special hymns during Easter and in the annual Christmas concert. Mary’s true love and joy was her faith, family and involvement in the church. 

Mary was a very kind and generous person who lived her life simply and honestly. She truly lived a life of Orthodox Christian faith and lived by the Golden Rule: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” 

Mary bravely fought a long battle with cancer. On Wednesday January 31st she died peacefully at home surrounded by her family. She was preceded in death by her beloved mother Meropy Gannis, her father Nick Gannis and her brother John Gannis. She is survived by her beloved husband of 56 years, Gus, children Sandy Meris (Will), Ted Theodoropoulos (Lily), Nikki Forman (Zach), grandchildren, Katie, Christian, Teddy, Aja, Andrew and Alexandra. 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral or St. Katherine’s Philoptochos. 

Trisagion (prayer) service and funeral service will take place on Thursday, February 8th at 10:00 a.m. Visitation begins at 9:00 a.m. Both services will take place at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 1973 E. Maryland Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85016. Graveside services will be at Greenwood Memorial Lawn Mortuary & Cemetery, 719 N. 27th Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85009.