Mary Soter Simos

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 25^th, 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 26^th, 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.