Caras, Maria N.
CARAS, Maria N., age 93, of Dayton, passed away peacefully Thursday, August 22, 2024 at Spring Hills Singing Woods. Maria was born March 19, 1931 in Maysville, Kentucky to the late George & Chryssa Nicholas. She recounted fond memories of growing up in neighboring homes with her first cousins and extended family. The family moved to Dayton, Ohio and Maria graduated from Roosevelt High School & Miami Jacobs Junior College.
Once in Dayton, she became an active member of The Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, where she met her future husband, Gregory Caras, and made lifelong friends in the thriving Greek community. Maria sang in the church choir, taught Sunday School, served on the GAPA and Philoptochos boards and also started a group for young couples with her husband, Greg. She and Greg took their turns chairing the Greek Festival and every year Maria enthusiastically prepared food for the event. Maria was also very active in the Dayton community, working on school levies, local elections and volunteering to work at the polls.
She loved gardening, cooking, baking and entertaining. Maria hosted parties of 10 to 100 with the same calm, grace and joy. Friends and family looked forward to her annual parties, holiday dinners and family reunions. She was the glue of the Caras, Nicholas families. Maria relished keeping family ties strong and developing and maintaining lasting friendships. She was known for staying calm and positive regardless her situation. Maria quietly and humbly relied on her faith and led by example.
Maria was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 62 years, Gregory S. Caras. The two were partners in all walks of life and enjoyed an enviable marriage.
She is survived by her sister, Marcina Hadjis of CA; sons, Sam (Tammy) Cara, George (Janie) Caras; daughter, Cynthia (John) Barron; the greatest joys of her life, her grandchildren and great & grandchildren, Joseph (Tom Shephard), Greg (Christina) Mollica, Sydney & Gavin Caras, Demetrios and Nikolas Mollica; Godsons, Bill Mokas, Stratin Fotos and Col. Jim Nikolas; many nieces, nephews, other relatives & friends.
Maria will be remembered for her loving and generous spirit, her graciousness and of course, her delicious food.
Funeral service 11 AM Friday, August 30, 2024 at The Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, 500 Belmonte Park North with Father Anthony Cook officiating. Interment Memorial Park Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Friday from 10 AM until service time at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church Memorial Fund in Maria's memory. Funeral arrangements Marker & Heller Funeral Homes.