Mary Lionakis Nichols

By Sun Advocate

Mary Lionakis Nichols passed away peacefully on January 15, 2017. Mary was born on June 16, 1922 in Helper, Utah to Greek immigrants, Peter and Andriani (Protopappas) Lionakis. The oldest of five children, Mary attended Carbon High School, graduating in 1942. After the death of her father the family moved to Price, Utah. Mary began working at Dugway Proving Grounds, Utah, where she met SGT Harry (Nick) Nichols Jr. She and Nick were married on December 30, 1952 and started a partnership that would last almost 63 years. During their marriage they had seven children. She and the children followed her husband all over the world, living on military bases in the United States, Okinawa Japan, France and Germany. While living in Heidelberg, Germany, Mary was chosen as Military Wife of the Year, an honor for which she was extremely proud. When Nick retired in 1976 they settled in La Palma, CA.
Mary was very active in St. John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church in Anaheim. She believed the Church was the cornerstone of the family and community and felt strongly about the Youth being involved. During her 40 years of active participation she was a GOYA advisor and GOYA Basketball Representative, receiving Awards in 1984, 1988, and 1991. In 2001, on the 40th Anniversary of the Church, Mary was acknowledged for her many years of commitment and devotion. The award she was proudest of, however, was when she was honored by the Church as 2007 Mother of the Year. Mary was also involved in the Cretan Club, Daughters of Penelope, and the women’s Philoptochos Society.
Mary was predeceased by Nick in 2015. She is survived by her brother John (Rose) Lionakis and sister-in-law Iva Lionakis. She is also survived by her children Steve (Debi), George (Diana), Pete, Jim (Joyce), John (Marianne), Ann (Niko) and Michael; grandchildren Jared, Brad, George (Krista), Kristen, Paulina, Victoria, Erick, Harrison, Joseph, Nicholas, Alexander, Dylan, and great granddaughter Madison. Services were held at St. John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church in Anaheim.