Mary M. Kanas

Mary Margaret Kanas was born February 11, 1926 in Bingham Canyon, Utah to parents Aristedis Drossos and Panagoula (Theofanopoulo) Drossos. Mary was the middle daughter of three, Georgia being the eldest and Helen the youngest.
Mary and her sisters attended school, K-12, in Bingham Canyon. Mary was active in many school organizations including Chorus, Business Club, and Social Committee. After graduation in 1944, Mary attended LDS Business College earning her associates' degree in Bookkeeping and Administrative Secretarial Services.
Mary's parents moved to Salt Lake City, Utah in 1947 about the same time she was hired by Home Insurance Company. She was quite successful and a valued employee during her four years there with many responsibilities in this position. During the final year of her employment at Home Insurance, Mary was promoted to Office Manager to train and supervise other employees.
While on her way to owning her own business, she married a family friend, John Kanas, on August 17, 1947 and moved to Portland, OR. Mary obtained and thrived in a secretarial position with the Oregon branch of Home Insurance Company until 1955.
Son, Michael L. Kanas, was born to Mary and John on Sept. 10, 1949. During the summer of 1955, the family moved to Denver, CO for promising business opportunities and to be closer to her sister, Helen Pappas.
Mary Kanas continued her successful career by joining the T.C. Strain Oil Company in the late 1950's and early 1960's. The owner, Mr. Strain, often credited Mary as being ‘heart and soul of the organization and their success was due to her exceptional thoroughness and attention to the bottom line'!
After Strain Oil Company was sold, Mary was recruited by Regal Drilling Company and became Administrative Assistant and Accounts Manager. During the next 25+ years, Mary became a well-known and respected member of the oil and gas industry in the Rocky Mountain region. She served on numerous advisory boards and organized special/charitable events in the field. Mary's final employment was at Mike Pappas's (Brother-in-Law) business, International Food Systems. Mary's retirement coincided closely to that of her husband John's, approximately in the late 1980's. Traveling with family and friends to numerous places in the world became a large part of Mary and John's early retirement years.
Mary Kanas was a unique lady. Known for many things, most notably her impeccable sense of style and fashion. Always the well-appointed woman, Mary was ‘dressed to the nines' every day of the week. Her passion was shoe-shopping and she devoted hours to honing her craft. She took much ribbing from family for taking too much time to dress even on ‘casual weekend days'.
Mary participated in several ladies' bowling leagues throughout her years in Denver and made many friends during that time, but Mary was first and foremost a devoted wife, mother, sister, aunt, and grandmother. Many of us remember the joy of parties and entertainment at Mary and John's house. She was a gracious hostess and took great delight in her grandsons, Michael John and Anthony, sons of Michael and Julie Kanas. Husband John, passed away in September, 2013, and most recently, son Michael ,in August, 2018.
Loved and revered by numerous nephews and nieces in The Great Northwest and Colorado, her warmth and vibrant spirit were always present. She and her sisters were extremely close; Helen was her best friend. Niece, Pam, always considered her a second Mom. Mary had no enemies. She was admired and enjoyed by family and friends. A loyal, supportive woman to all, generous with her time and love; Mary Kanas will be missed by so many and may she be remembered by all.

Funeral Service: March 7, 2019 11:00 am

St. Catherine Greek Orthodox Church
5555 South Yosemite Street
Greenwood Village, CO 80111