Maria Pappas

April 16, 2022

Maria Pappas-Keramas passed away unexpectedly on April 16, 2022 in New Port Richey, Florida. Maria lived the “American Dream” in pursuit of a better life for her children. Maria was born on June 29, 1945 in Argostoli, Kefalonia, an island of Greece. While in Greece, she married her husband, Thanasis Pappas, and then immigrated to the United States with her husband, her one-year-old daughter, Stavroula, and her infant son, Stathis. They moved in with her father, Gerasimos Simatos, in upstate NY, where she would have her third child, Jerry. She soon found her first job working at Boulevard Decorators; it was there where she learned how to be a seamstress. After ten years of perfecting her skills, Boulevard Decorators was set to close their doors for good. In this moment, Maria’s entrepreneurial spirit and drive took over, as she knew this was the opportunity to improve her and her family’s lives. She purchased only the necessary equipment and materials she could afford to start her own seamstress business and the risk paid off. Clients from all over upstate NY learned of Maria’s exceptional skills strictly through word-of-mouth advertising. She operated her own business for over 30 years from her home, where she raised her fourth child, Eleni, and eventually two of her grandchildren, Matthew and Maria. Maria was driven by her family, faith and her desire to help others. While residing in New York, she was an active member of St. Sophia’s Greek Orthodox Church, and also a member of the Philoptochos Society. Over the years, she volunteered her time for church fundraising activities and Greek community events. She operated a pastry booth at the annual Greek festival in Albany, and when she moved to Florida, the organizers of the festival had to purchase a machine to maintain the same level of production as Maria. Her faith, generosity, and desire to help others continued in Florida, where she met and married James Keramas. She was a member of St. Georges Greek Orthodox Church in Port Richey, President of the Hellenic Benevolent Association, Treasurer and Secretary of the Kefalonian Society, Member of the Athenian Society and Chios Society, and Member of the Hellenic Society of Pasco. With her natural leadership ability, Maria shined in her role as President of the Hellenic Benevolent Association. She managed the finances, organized events, hosted Bingo night, counseled members of the community, and even cooked for large events and functions – and did so with passion and love. Maria loved playing cards and having dinner parties with her friends, traveling to all parts of the world, and winning jackpots at casinos along the way. Most of all, Maria loved her family. She frequently visited her children and grandchildren in New York and made sure to spend the holidays together as a family. Over the years, she took her family on many vacations to Cape Cod, Florida, and Greece, the memories of which will forever be cherished by her family. Maria Pappas-Keramas is survived by her daughter, Stavroula Dean (husband, James), her sons, Stathis Pappas and Jerry Pappas, and her daughter, Eleni Murphy (husband, Jason), all residing in Guilderland, New York. She has five grandchildren: Noah, Christian, Matthew, Maria and Thomas. Maria is predeceased by her first husband, Thanasis Pappas (passed 2003), her second husband, James Keramas (passed 2015), Nicholas Simatos (brother), Gerasimos Simatos (father), and Helen Haita Simatos (stepmother). Funeral services will be held Thursday, April 28 at 11am at St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Church, 440 Whitehall Rd., Albany, NY 12208. Interment will follow at Graceland Cemetery, Albany. Arrangements have been entrusted to Tebbutt Funeral Home, Albany, NY. If you would like to make a donation in lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be sent to the Hellenic Benevolent Association Inc. at 205 Hibiscus St., Tarpon Springs, FL 34689, in loving memory of Maria Pappas-Keramas.