Mary Soter Simos
September 10, 1943 - June 20, 2026
It is with profound love and sorrow that we share the passing of our beloved mother, mother-in-law, Yiayia, sister, Thea, and friend, Mary Soter Simos, 82, who died peacefully on June 20, 2026, surrounded by her family.
Mary was born on September 10, 1943, to Sam F. and Eva Soter and grew up in Holladay, Utah. She graduated from Rowland Hall High School in 1961 and married James Simos of Craig, Colorado, later that year. The couple moved to Craig before returning to Salt Lake City in 1963.
Mary’s career as an interior designer began at the young age of 12 when she worked alongside her parents in their Salt Lake City furniture store, Soter’s Home Furnishings. In her adult years, she and James founded J-MAR Interiors in Park City, Utah, where she served residential clients throughout the Salt Lake Valley.
Later, Mary teamed up with her longtime friend and colleague, Anne Prince, to form Mary Anne Designs. Together, they completed numerous commercial design projects, including the Stein Eriksen Lodge in Deer Valley, Utah; The Yarrow Hotel in Park City, Utah; the Desert Inn in Lancaster, California; and the Holiday Inn in Denver, Colorado.
Through her firm, Inside Story, Mary completed many residential and commercial projects throughout Utah, Colorado, and California. She continued working until her health no longer allowed her to do so.
Mary was devoted to her faith in Christ and her Greek Orthodox heritage. She was one of the founding members of Saint Anna Greek Orthodox Church in Sandy, Utah, and served as an integral member of the church’s building committee. She was also an active member of the church’s Philoptochos Society chapter.
Mary generously shared her time and talents with several philanthropic organizations, including the Junior League of Salt Lake City and the Assistance League of Utah.
Mary was an exceptional cook, following in the footsteps of her mother before her. Few things brought her more joy than preparing meals for others and watching them enjoy her creations, especially her dolmathes and spanakopita.
Mary also had a competitive spirit and enjoyed playing card games, particularly Spite and Malice, with her sons. She loved gathering with friends for bridge, where, more often than not, the conversation outlasted the cards.
Mary was a loving, kind, and generous soul. As a mother, she gave her children unwavering support, and a strong sense of family. By the way she lived her life, she taught her sons the value of hard work, integrity, compassion, and respect for others. She was the matriarch of our family, and the space left in our hearts by her passing can never be filled.
She is survived by her four sons: Steve (Elaina) Simos of Salt Lake City, Utah; Sam (Peggy) Simos of Naperville, Illinois; Gregory (Beth) Simos of New Kent, Virginia; and James (Anna Maria) Simos of Tracy, California; as well as her six grandchildren, Samuel Simos, Nicholas Simos, Nicole Simos, Alexa Simos, Eva Simos, and Marina Simos.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Sam and Eva Soter; her brother, Greg Soter; her former husband, James Simos; her sisters-in-law, Maryanna Raftopoulos and Connie Jouflas; and her brother-in-law, Chris Jouflas.
The family would like to express their heartfelt appreciation to her longtime friend Connie Chavez, who stood faithfully by her side throughout her battle with cancer; to her doctors, Andrew J. Pellatt, MD and Lisa K. Kuwahara, MD; her home health caregivers, Morgan and Jill; and to the compassionate team at Intermountain Healthcare Hospice.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Mary’s memory to Saint Anna Greek Orthodox Church at StAnnaGOCUtah.org.
The viewing and Trisagion service will be held on Thursday, June 25th, 2026, from 6:00pm to 8:00pm at Saint Anna Greek Orthodox Church, 9201 South 1300 East, Sandy, Utah. Funeral services will be held on Friday, June 26th, 2026, at 11:00am also at Saint Anna Greek Orthodox Church with interment to follow at Mount Olivet Cemetery, 1342 E 500 S, Salt Lake City, UT.
May her memory be eternal.
In Loving Memory
I've done your mom's hair for many many years and known your whole family for many many years I love her just like a sister that's how we feel about each other I'm going to miss her so terribly love all of you
I’m so sorry about your mom‘s passing, but at least she is free from pain. She’s with her loved ones up in heaven.. I remember when she helped me make chicken dinner for about 120 Bridge people We had a big tournament. We made Greek chicken and normal chicken The people loved it. She was an excellent cook. That was so sweet of her. Sometimes Mary and I would bump heads because we both had that stubborn personality. We said things like it was. She had a very kind heart and she will be deeply missed. May her memory be eternal. I know you guys have lots of great memories love your cousin Linda.
I’m so sorry about your mom‘s passing, but at least she is free from pain. She’s with her loved ones up in heaven.. I remember when she helped me make chicken dinner for about 120 Bridge people We had a big tournament. We made Greek chicken and normal chicken The people loved it. She was an excellent cook. That was so sweet of her. Sometimes Mary and I would bump heads because we both had that stubborn personality. We said things like it was. She had a very kind heart and she will be deeply missed. May her memory be eternal. I know you guys have lots of great memories love your cousin Linda.
Dear Soter Family, I had the privilege of meeting Mary during our radiation treatments. Every morning, we would sit together while waiting for our appointments, and I came to look forward to seeing her each day. Mary was such a classy, warm, and gracious person. Even as we were both facing difficult circumstances, she always showed kindness and compassion. Her gentle spirit brought me so much comfort, and I will always be grateful for the conversations we shared. Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with your family during this difficult time. Mary's kindness touched my life, and I will remember her with great fondness. With deepest sympathy
I have many wonderful memories of Mary going back to when I was quite young. She would let me explore the back rooms of Ethan Allen where she and my mom worked. I remember the first time I was at her home, she gave me a treat when I successfully picked her out of a picture on the piano from when she was little. She made wedding cookies for my shower when I married 24 years ago! She patiently showed me how to make Greek roasted vegetable (mine never turned out as well), she’d laugh at me when I’d text her and remind her she should maybe make me something delicious. I recall what fun she and my mom had rolling dolmatas and her joking my mom was a honorary Greek now. Such a lovely woman who was always kind and fun. My mom has her own health battles but had we known she had passed we would have come. My condolences to the family. She will always be a fond memory for me and I know my mother, Micki, as well. Much love.
I love you, Mary. I was saddened to hear of your passing; I wish I could have had one more moment to tell you how much you meant to me. You were always there with love and guidance in the many things we did together. Your positive attitude along with your many talents in everything you did, always left the situation you were working on 100% better than you found it. You had the ability to put people at ease with your sense of humor and your humility in all things. Such a classy lady with a courageous outlook and a love for God and his teachings. I am going to miss you and our conversations; I am going to miss your laughter and your unconditional love. I will think of you often with love and a smile. May your memory be eternal Pat and Nick Daskalas
In Loving Memory
