Mary N. Papandreas

Mary Papandreas (Tsaketas), a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, passed away on August 11, 2026, after a brief illness. She was 89 years old.

Born on April 30, 1937, to Spyros and Catherine Tsaketas, Mary was raised in Manhattan’s Lincoln Center district. She was a graduate of Julia Richman High School and went on to earn her degree in secretarial studies from the prestigious Katherine Gibbs College. Mary enjoyed a long career as an executive secretary, working until the age of 72, a milestone she spoke of with great pride.

Mary was the devoted wife of Nicholas Papandreas for 52 years, until his passing in 2010. In 1969, the family moved to Plainview, NY, a town Mary called home for over 50 years. Mary was a faithful member of the Greek Orthodox Church and a cherished part of its community.

She was the devoted mother of two daughters, Deborah Lesse and Cathy Pantelides. She was the cherished grandmother of Michael (Leanne) Lesse, Katelyn Lesse, Nico (Tania) Pantelides, and Lia (Bryan) Strauss and great-grandmother of Andrew, Nicholas, Ariana, and Leo, with a fifth great-grandchild eagerly awaited this December. Her family was the light of her life and her greatest joy.

Mary was predeceased by her sons-in-law, Richard Lesse and Tony Pantelides. Mary was also the loving sister of Irene Gavaris and sister-in-law of Dina Dallas. 

May her memory be eternal.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Mary’s honor to Greek Orthodox Cathedral of St. Paul Expansion Fund and/or The American Cancer Society.