Westfield – Mary (Matheos Koufalexis) Varelas, 86, died Tuesday, March 7, 2017 in Brookline, MA. Devoted wife of 59 years to George A. Varelas. Beloved mother of Elaine Varelas Ryan of Wellesley, MA; Andrew G. Varelas (Diana D’Alma) of Scottsdale, Arizona; Dean G. Varelas (Laurie) of Westfield, MA. and is also survived by her adored grandchildren, Jillian Ryan, Dean and Alex Varelas.
Mary also leaves Tom Matheos and family, Jim Matheos and family, Irene McCusker and family, Tony Buijanarowski and family, and Sean Ryan and family, in addition to many loving friends, and family members in Greece. Mary was born in Biddeford Maine, and graduated from Westfield High School, Class of 1948. She, along with her parents, brother George, and sisters Lillian and Helen operated the Puritan Lunch on North Elm Street for many years. After WWII, Mary served as a Grey Lady at Westover Air Force Base in Chicopee. She also worked at the Westfield Area Mental Health Clinic, now known as the Carson Center for Human Services, for over 20 years retiring in1994.
Mary became active politically when her husband ran for office and served as Mayor of Westfield for four consecutive terms. She was an active parishioner at St. George Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Springfield, and a member of its Philoptohos Society. Mary was also a member of the Westfield Women’s Club. She was pre-deceased by her sister Helen Genes of California, brother George Matheos of Westfield, sister Lillian Buijanarowski of Westfield, and son-in-law Steve Ryan. Services will be held at St. George Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Springfield on Monday March 13th at 10 am.
Visiting hours will be held at Firtion-Adams Funeral Home, 76 Broad Street, Westfield on Sunday March 12,from 3-6 pm. Burial will be at Pine Hill Cemetery in Westfield. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy in her memory may be made to St. George Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 22 St. George Road, Springfield, MA or the American Diabetes Association, 2080 Silas Deane Highway, Rocky Hill, CT 06067. Firtionadams.com
