Mary Zouras

Mary Zouras, age 85, of Southeastern Pennsylvania, went to the Lord on February 12, 2026 after a full and beautiful life and in the company of her loving family.

Mary was born Mary Rodites, raised, and educated in New York state. She was known to have started singing as a toddler and blossomed to be a great talent in New York and nationally as a teenager, sharing her creativity, heartful warmth and joy with generosity of spirit and vocal styling on the various stages she entered. She was a woman of beauty and grace, who walked the beaches and dunes in Long Island and loved the ocean. Mary won the title of Miss New York for Miss USA in 1960 and was first runner up in the national contest singing and sharing her vision as a speaker for women to bring their unique talents to the forefront to serve America. She went to college in New York state and studied the sciences, becoming a dental hygienist and an educator. Mary was proud of her Greek American culture and heritage, winning the Miss Greek Independence title which is how she met the love of her life, her beloved husband Nicholas, resulting in their long, enduring romantic marriage.

Most of all Mary was a deeply devoted wife and a dedicated mother and grandmother to her nine children and many grandchildren.  Mary raised her children and grandchildren with loving care, kisses and smiles, with skills and wisdom in fun filled days of wonder spent in the gardens, listening to the birds and exploring the ponds and woods.  Mary was a natural born teacher who would patiently share her applied skills in science, songwriting, poetry, fine arts, painting, gardening, sewing and home cooking as the mother leader of her home, raising all her children and teaching them to enjoy and understand the natural world. Many of her nature paintings were of families of birds, animal mothers and babies, flowers, bees and woods put on canvas or paper with particular attention to biological accuracy. She had an infectious curiosity of inquiry with her belief in God, humanity and nature.

Mary also served her community with her leadership, integrity, intellect and courage as an educator, speaker with her husband in partnership as published co-authors in the husband and wife, man and woman, father and mother connection that they developed and shared. She listened and encouraged all people to face their challenges, to co-create with others and to reach their full creative and natural potential. Mary brought healing and understanding to the world. She was an accomplished writer with her own essays, poems and songs she wrote and shared with her family and her community in various programs that made a lasting impact.  

Mary had boundless energy and positivity, a sweet, knowing and engaging smile, a hand and a good hug offered in her thoughtful way to whomever she met. Her family and many knew her as a caring and considerate woman who wrote a poem to lift a heart, sang an original or popular love song to make us happy, or made an expert Mediterranean home cooked delicious meal while also discussing views and solutions to relationships in the world.  We will all miss her light and her love but know that she is adventuring in the celestial stars in heaven, reunited with our father and her ancestors under God. She who gave us life as our mother, she gave us all that she shared in heaven on Earth to be remembered that we are the blessed and we shall be forever joyful.

Mary was the beloved wife of Nicholas L. Zouras who preceded her to the Lord in 2003. She was the devoted mother to her children Evangelia (Zouras) Merker, Christina (Zouras) Fink, Sophia Zouras, Elias Zouras, Aspasia (Zouras) MacDuff, Alethea Zouras, Yianis Zouras, Adam Zouras (who preceded to the Lord in 1984), and Melina (Zouras) Anthony,  and to her very large extended family based in the USA. 

Friends and family are welcome to attend her visitation from 10am to 11am on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, at St. Luke Greek Orthodox church, 35 N. Malin Rd, Broomall, Pa 19008. Her funeral service will take place at 11am in the church. Her burial will be private. Flowers may be sent to the St. Luke’s in her honor on February 17, 2026 or in lieu of flowers and to support her love of birds, please feel free to make a donation in her name to the National Audubon Society here at https://www.audubon.org/ways-to-give

Love and light to our Mama Mary, may her memory be eternal. God bless you all.

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