Mary Sargetis Souvall

It is with profound love and sorrow that we share the passing of our beloved mother, yiayia, and proyiayia, Mary Sargetis Souvall, 98, who died peacefully on June 5th, 2026, surrounded by her
family.

Mary was the heart of our family. After the passing of her cherished husband Sam in 2006, she carried us forward for twenty more years until she was the only surviving member of her generation. She did so with elegance, courage, and a sparkle that never dimmed.

She was soft but strong, tender but direct. As a yiayia she was warmth itself, and as a mother she was guiding and protective. She drew on nearly a century of experience. Sweet and feisty, she would welcome you warmly, hug you tightly, and then tell you exactly what she thought of your haircut. Her resilience was inspiring, her taste impeccable, and her love for the people in her life was constant and deep. Mary had a remarkable gift for making people feel remembered and cared for. She gathered us together, never missed a birthday or holiday, and sent cards faithfully every Valentine’s Day and Easter. Her generous nature flowed through gestures large and small.

She celebrated others’ successes, worried over their troubles, and never stopped caring about the people fortunate enough to be part of her life.

Mary led with a kind and generous heart. She gave of herself to her church, her community, her country, and her family without reservation. She and her husband were among those who worked to establish Prophet Elias Greek Orthodox Church in Salt Lake City, and she remained devoted to her faith in Christ and her Greek heritage throughout her life. She was active in the Philoptochos Society and the Greek Cretan Society. She volunteered with the Assistance League of Utah for more than twenty years, served on the University of Utah College of Nursing Board for eighteen years, the Health Sciences Board for ten, and volunteered at the University of Utah Hospital for a decade. Her last words on this earth were “thank you.”

Our Mary was no stranger to hard work. Born to Greek immigrant parents Theros Sargetis and Cleanthe Maragoudakis on November 22nd, 1927, she grew up on a farm in rural Altonah, Utah. She biked bottles of fresh milk from the family cow up and down the Avenues of Salt Lake City. During World War II, she served her country at the Salt Lake Arsenal and later at the Veterans Administration. She graduated from Granite High School with honors, attended Stevens Henager College with her sister Irene where she learned to use the comptometer, and earned her real estate license later in life. Her childhood dream was to be a neurosurgeon, and a pilot.

Mary met the love of her life when she was seventeen, standing in front of their church, Holy Trinity. After many bicycle rides and a year of letters, they became engaged. Her family gave their blessing on one condition: that Sam first learn the traditional Cretan dance, the Syrtos. He did so gladly, and they were married on June 2nd, 1946, at the church where they first met. Together they built a life on devotion, hard work, and love, raising four children and welcoming every opportunity to gather the people they cherished. For many years, they brought the whole family to Sun Valley, and they generously shared their second home in Coronado with all of us. She was bright and intuitive, with an elephant’s memory and a lion’s heart. She was a formidable bridge (and blackjack) player, and an excellent golfer, dancer, and bowler in her heyday. Her French toast was legendary. She loved movies, Milk Duds, and a good story. She was our family historian and a gifted and prolific storyteller. She was a marathon shopping champion.

We were all so blessed to have Mary for 98 years. We will feel her absence for the rest of ours.
She is survived by her children Ann (Joe) Sasich, Leah (Timo) Hatziathanasiou, Sandra (Layne) Kresser, and Sam (Victoria) Souvall; and by her grandchildren David (Jenny) Sasich, Michael
Sasich, Eli Sasich, Timoléon Hatziathanasiou, Sam Hatziathanasiou, Jake (Carrie) Kresser, Amy (Justin) Welch, Alex Kresser, Stephen (Page) Souvall, Peter Souvall, Breck Souvall, Jade Souvall, Shayne Souvall, Quinn Souvall, and Grace Souvall; and her great grandchildren Mila Sherman, Zachary Sasich, Jack Kresser, Grace Kresser, Sam Kresser, Axel Welch, Emmy Welch, Peyton Heaps, Roya Souvall, Ryder Souvall, and one more on the way. Mary is also survived by her many nieces and nephews whom she held dear.

She is preceded in death by her mother and father, adoring husband Sam, her sweet grandson Josh Kresser, and her beloved sisters Irene Landures, Eva Soter, Goldie Nielson, Dorothy Smith, and brother John Sargetis.

Our family is forever grateful to Mary’s loving caregivers, Doris, Llana, Dana, Irene, Ahi, Damaris, Anna, Mari, Katina, Moa, and Sue. We also wish to thank her trusted physician, Dr. Carol Osborn, as well as Huntsman At Home Hospice Care.
Our deep gratitude to Father Anthony Savas and Father Elias Koucos for their kind and loving spiritual care and guidance.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made to Saint Anna Greek Orthodox Church in her memory.

The viewing (and Trisagion) will be held on Thursday, June 11th, from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at Starks Funeral Parlor (3651 S 900 E). Funeral services will be held on Friday, June 12th, at 11:00 am at Saint Anna Greek Orthodox Church (9201 S 1300 E). Interment will take place at Mount Olivet Cemetery.

Beloved wife, mother, yiayia, and proyiayia — may her memory be eternal.