Greater Lansing Ubiquitous Theatre
  • Announcements
  • Events Calendar
  • Auditions
    • Audition Calendar
  • Reviews
  • Theatres
  • About the G.L.U.T.
    • E-mail List
    • Contact

Mary Volakakis funeral Wed. May 22

5/21/2019

0 Comments

 
I was saddened to get the death notice of this sweet, droll, cheerful lady who lent many a helpful hand backstage and wrote reviews for Ripples newsletter “back in the day.” Mara McGill reports, “I am heartbroken to report that Mary passed away on Friday afternoon. Please let folks know who might be interested. Many of us worked with Mary at Lansing Civic Players and Riverwalk over the years, and she was a big supporter of RWT."


Mary Volakakis
January 25, 1934 – May 17, 2019

A long-time resident of East Lansing, Mary was born more than eighty years ago in Jackson, Michigan, to Ella and Alexander Volakakis.  As she grew up, she was never to forget that she was Greek.  It became a treasured part of her American identity.

Mary entered the working world following graduation from high school.  Several years later, in 1959, she began her long career with the State of Michigan.  As a young working woman, she also gave some thought to what would really be important in her life, and she realized that earning a bachelor’s degree was her dream.

Determined to make this a reality, Mary enrolled in Lansing Community College, where she got high marks and was awarded and associate’s degree cum laude.  She followed this success by transferring to Michigan State University, and, in 1981, she achieved her goal, receiving her Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy.  Going to college was a decision she never regretted.

Over the years, Mary traveled the world, flying to England, Spain, France, China, Brazil, Austria, Italy.  She found her trips to Greece and the Greek Isles especially memorable, reflecting a natural interest in her Greek heritage.

The theater held a special fascination for Mary.  She participated behind the scenes in local productions as an assistant director.  Among other projects, she worked on props and in writing reviews for the community theater paper.  She particularly enjoyed reviewing the children’s plays.

Along with the theater, Mary appreciated opera.  She devoted many a Saturday afternoon listening to opera on the radio, and she also attended productions at the Wharton Center.  Carmen was a favorite.

Some may not know this, but Mary belonged to a writing group.  And much of her writing captured her warmth, her caring, her love of life and her wonderful sense of humor.  None of the real joys or ironies of life escaped Mary’s delicate turn of phrase.

She had a circle of loyal friends who appreciated her talents and abilities.  with her innate kindness as well as through her writing and her other interests, Mary created a genuine sense of welcome for all who were privileged to know her.

Mary was preceded in death by her older brothers, George and Nicholas, and her older sister, Joann.  She will be remembered by her many friends.

The funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, May 22, 2019, at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 1701 E. Saginaw St., Lansing, with interment to follow in East Lawn Memory Gardens.  Visitation will be from 2:00 – 4:00 and 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. Tuesday, at the Estes-Leadley Greater Lansing Chapel, with a Trisagion Service at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday. Memorial contributions may be made to Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in memory of Mary Volakakis.

​
0 Comments

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    G.L.U.T. NEWS

    The Greater Lansing Ubiquitous Theatre (G.L.U.T.) is a compilation of mini-reviews, news articles, audition notices, and performance calendars of many of the community and professional theatres in the greater Lansing, Michigan, area. READ MORE

    Do you use an RSS or Feed reader?  Use the link below to get updates right in your browser or reader!

    RSS Feed


    Be sure to "like" our Facebook page for up to date posts!

    Categories

    All
    All Of Us Express Children's Theatre
    Andromeda Community Theatre
    Bachdor Shakespeare
    Blue Light Players
    Charlotte HS
    Charlotte PAC
    Chippewa MS
    DeWitt HS
    East Lansing HS
    East Lansing HS
    Eaton Rapids HS
    Everett HS
    Grand Ledge HS
    Great Escape Stage Company
    Holt HS
    Homegrown Productions
    Ixion Ensemble
    Laingsburg HS
    Lansing Catholic HS
    LCC Dept. Of Music
    LCC Dept. Of Theatre
    Leslie HS
    Mason HS
    Mich. Shakespeare Festival
    Mid Michigan Family Theatre
    Mirasu Actors Studio
    MSU Dept. Of Theatre
    MSU Opera Theatre
    MSU Summer Circle Theatre
    Okemos HS
    Over The Ledge
    Over The Ledge
    Owosso Community Players
    Owosso HS
    Peppermint Creek Theatre
    Peppermint Creek Theatre
    Purple Rose
    Renegade Theatre Festival
    Riverwalk Theatre
    Ruhala PAC
    Ruhala PAC
    Starlight Dinner Theatre
    Studio 204
    Studio 707 Productions
    Studio 707 Productions
    The American Shakespeare Collective
    The Capital Players
    The Studio PAC
    The Studio PAC
    Waverly HS
    Wharton Center @ MSU
    Williamston Theatre


    Post Archives

    February 2025
    January 2025
    December 2024
    November 2024
    October 2024
    September 2024
    August 2024
    July 2024
    June 2024
    May 2024
    April 2024
    March 2024
    February 2024
    January 2024
    December 2023
    November 2023
    October 2023
    September 2023
    August 2023
    July 2023
    June 2023
    May 2023
    April 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    April 2016
    March 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.