LEWISTON – Mary Karantzalis Goranites, 92, passed on to the Lord Saturday, Sept. 23, at Central Maine Medical Center with her loving family by her side.

She is survived by sons, Doucas J. Goranites (Charlene) of Bridgton, Judge Peter J. Goranites (Rosemary) of Cumberland; daughters, Antonia Spirounias (Charles) of Old Orchard Beach, Georgia Chomas of Auburn, Kiki Harrington (John) of Londonderry, N.H., and U.S. Sen. Olympia Snowe and former Gov. John McKernan of Falmouth; and nephew, John Bouchles; grandchildren, Mary K. Chomas of Chicago, Ill., Thea Nelson (Stephen) of Scarborough, Evangelea Kelly (Matthew) of Watertown, Mass., Maria Spirounias of Quincy, Mass., Eleni Goranites of Burlington, Vt., Angela Goranites of Brighton, Mass., James Harrington of Nashville, Tenn., Mary Harrington of Washington, D.C., Jeffrey Goranites of Portland and Jared Goranites of Cumberland; great-grandchildren, Christopher Frank Nelson and newborn Charles Gregory Kelly; and many nieces, nephews and lifelong friends in the United States and Greece.

She was predeceased by her husband; her parents; stepmother, Maria Tsoumakos Karantzalis; sisters, Kyriake Sophos, Speredoula Drivas, Amelia Kotarakos; and brothers, Theophilos Karantzalis and General (Greek Army) John Karantzalis.

A proud American, her life’s journeys took her from the remote villages in southern Greece to the shores of opportunity in America to build a family, a church, and a legacy of love and giving.

She was born on Oct. 14, 1913, in Konnakia, Laconia, Greece, the daughter of Peter and Georgia Menouthakos Karantzalis. She was educated in Greece and emigrated to America on Feb. 14, 1936, and married to the late James D. Goranites on Oct. 24, 1937.

She was a lifelong member of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, Lewiston Ladies Philoptochos Society, Mt. Olivet Chapter of Eastern Star and the Daughters of Penelope. She was employed at Continental Mill and Flanders Men’s Store while still raising her family.

Her life was defined by her love for her family and church. Always a teacher, she led by example of love, sacrifice, humility and devotion. Having emigrated from Greece, she brought with her the values of thrift and resourcefulness. She made her children’s clothes, and made home cooked meals even while she was working full-time.

She was well-known for her cooking. Her kitchen table freely and richly fed all who came. She often shared Greek pastries with friends and those who were ill. She remembered everyone, especially the children with her creative and tasty homemade basket shaped Easter bread. For more than 60 years, she baked for church holidays, pastry sales, dances, weddings and festivals.

She was also known as Aunt Mary across the state as she accompanied Senator Snowe – her niece who she raised as a daughter – during her campaigns.

Church was paramount in her life as well, attending every Sunday and sitting in the same pew. Prayer was a daily source of strength and courage. It comforted her and provided the foundation of her life and the values she passed on to her family.

Her joy was seeing her children healthy and responsible. She cherished her time caring for her grandchildren, eager to cook a Greek meal for them and to teach them about prayer. Her grandchildren learned early that pleasing Yiayia was as simple as visiting, eating, or sharing their stories. She was the proud grandmother in the audience at recitals, graduations and other life accomplishments, but at each, she reminded them of their need for prayer and forgiveness. In her final years, she became known as “Po-Po” to her first great-grandchild who delighted her with his antics, his cheery smile and hugs.

Besides baking and cooking, she loved gardening. Flowers adorned her yard; fresh vegetables grew in her garden, grape vines in her back yard. Even when she was ill, she would sneak into the garden to weed, to pick a fresh tasty tomato or cucumber and harvest grape leaves.

Her loving presence will be forever missed but always remembered.