Obituary of Mary Droganes

DROGANES, Maria “Mary” It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Maria on August 31, 2023 at the age of 90 with her devoted daughters by her side. Loving wife of the late Constantine “Gus” Droganes (2007). Beloved and adored mother of Gina and Connie Droganes. Sister-in-law to the late Peter (Ann) Droganes (2011). She will be fondly remembered by nieces, nephews, extended family and friends here and in Greece. Maria was born in Sparta, Greece in August 16, 1933 and was the youngest of six children – the oldest of which was 20 years older than their baby sister. At the age of 16 Maria came to Canada on New Year’s Eve in 1950, where she found a wonderful home with her uncle Peter Grammar, his wife Manto, and his brothers George and James Grammar – the founders of the historic Diana Sweets Restaurant on St. Paul Street in St. Catharines. Maria was the sister of the late James and Louis Mantzanis, who came to St. Catharines shortly after her arrival. She met her future husband, Gus, in St. Catharines and married in 1957. They went on to have a long, wonderful and very happy life together. The Greek Orthodox faith was a cornerstone to both their lives, as was the church they attended in St. Catharines. Maria was one of four women who went to Hamilton in the early 1960s to obtain advice from the priest at St. Demetrios Church on how to start a Greek Church in St. Catharines. . That trip greatly assisted the local Greek population in eventually establishing the Greek Community of St. Catharines. Maria was a devoted volunteer to the Greek Community for many years. She was a Vice-President of the Greek Community’s Philoptochos (Ladies Committee), as well as a member of its School & Dance Committee for 11 years from 1969. Maria was ultimately recognized by the City of St. Catharines for her volunteerism. Visitation will be held on Wednesday September 6, 2023 from 2-4 and 6-9 p.m. at GARDEN CITY FUNERALS (Formerly Patrick J. Darte Funeral Chapel), 39 Court Street, in St. Catharines. The First Thrice Holy Hymn Service/Trisagio will be held Wednesday, September 6 th at 7 p.m. The Second Thrice Holy Hymn/Trisagio will occur, with the ensuing Funeral Service on Thursday September 7 th at St. Katharine Greek Orthodox Church at 11 a.m. The Final Thrice Holy Hymn/Trisagio and Burial will take place at Victoria Lawn Cemetery following the Funeral Service. The family kindly requests that any donations in Maria’s memory be made to the St. Katharine Greek Orthodox Church or to The Alzheimer’s Society.