Our wonderful matriarch, Mary English, 93, fell asleep in the Lord late on Friday evening, July 17, 2026, peacefully and quietly, surrounded by the love of her family. Born to Michael and Calliope Sakellarides, Mary grew up in a close-knit Greek family where she was surrounded by parents, brothers, cousins, aunts, uncles, and lifelong friends. In 1951, she met the love of her life, Gregory English, beginning a love story that would span nearly seven decades. Together, they built a beautiful life, raising their family in Maspeth and later Greenlawn, New York, where they were active members of the St. Paraskevi Greek Orthodox Church community.

She and Gregory later enjoyed spending their time in Sand Key, Florida, where they embraced life by the beach and made countless treasured memories together. Mary especially loved spending time with friends, relaxing under the tiki huts with a good book, and watching the sun set over the Gulf. Their final years were spent at the Winter Park Allegro, where she turned friends and staff into family.

Mary lived life on her own terms. She had a joyful and gentle spirit, unwavering faith, a quick wit, unconditional love, and a stubborn streak that those who loved her came to cherish. She remained cheerful, talkative, and mentally sharp until her final hours. She valued genuine relationships, treasured thoughtful conversation, and cared deeply for the people she loved. She missed the family and friends who had gone before her, yet she remained grateful for the wonderful life she had lived and for the love that continued to surround her. Mary was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Gregory; her parents, Michael and Calliope; her brothers, Peter, Harry, and George; and many cherished relatives and dear friends.

She was the matriarch of her family - a source of comfort, wisdom, and constant encouragement whose legacy will live on in the generations she nurtured. She will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing and loving her. She is survived by her daughter Callie and husband Russell, of Memphis, TN, son James and wife Jennifer, of St. Louis, MO, and son Michael and wife Nancy, of Winter Park, FL. Mary was cherished by her seven grandchildren: Stacie, Greg, Haley (Simon), Michael, Austin (Chris), Christopher, and Mariel, and her great-grandson, Levi. She will be sorely missed by her faithful and eternally hungry West Highland Terrier, Sophia.

Mary will be celebrated with a funeral service at St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church on Thursday, July 30th at 10:00 a.m. Visitation will be held prior, starting at 9:00 a.m. Interment will be at Cypress Hills Cemetery. A makaria luncheon will be held immediately afterward. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society in Mary’s memory. (https://www.lls.org/donate)