Mary Balamos

Mary Balamos, 86, of Decatur, IL, passed away peacefully with her family by her side, Tuesday, October 23, 2018, in Decatur Memorial Hospital. Mary was born in St. Louis, Missouri to immigrants, Harry and Katie (Rappi) Mourton, in 1932. She loved her family and friends, enjoyed school always telling others, “I hated missing one day of school because education is like money in the bank.” She enjoyed Forest Park, especially with her cousin, Helen Scholl, where they experienced the Muni Opera, visited the Jewel Box Gardens and Zoo. She enjoyed a career beginning as executive assistant with the Railroads in 1951, when she met Dino Balamos at a church function. With strong love connecting them through the years, Mary wed Dino in 1956. They celebrated their 62nd anniversary October 14, 2018. Their love and family continued to grow when Debra and Katherine were born, followed by the birth of their grandchildren, Grace and Rosie. When we think of Mary we think of the joy, positive energy, empathy and support she always gave others. We remember her kindness, generosity and unwavering ability to feed everyone who walked into her kitchen. She was universally loved, a timeless beauty, inside and out. Mary was also a member of Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church and St. Catherine’s Philoptochos Society. She was executive assistant at Richland Community College and the Macon County State’s Attorney. She also volunteered with Decatur Public Schools and loved to travel to Italy, Greece and Laguna Beach. Mary was an avid gardener and loved roses. She was an extraordinary cook, enjoyed reading, walking and hiking. Mary’s endless optimism was contagious. Surviving are her husband, Dino, of Decatur; daughters, Debra Balamos, and husband, Bernard Shell, of Santa Monica, CA, and Katherine Balamos Ganley and husband, James Ganley of Decatur, IL; granddaughters Grace and Rose Ganley; many nieces, nephews and Godchildren. Mary was preceded in death by her parents and brother Gus Mourton. Visitation will be from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. Friday, October 26, at Brintlinger and Earl Funeral Home, 2827 N. Oakland, Decatur, with a Trisagion service at 7:00 pm. The Reverend Father David Eynon will officiate. Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. Saturday, October 27, at the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, 570 N. Union St. Decatur. Burial will be in Fairlawn Cemetery, Decatur. Memorials in Mary’s honor may be given to Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church. Condolences and memories may be shared with the family in care of the Balamos Famliy, 1960 W. Harrison Ave. Decatur Il 62526; [email protected]; [email protected]