Mary Kouvelis was born on January 19, 1960 in Chicago, Illinois. Mary attended Chicago public schools and completed her bachelor's degree from the University of Illinois before moving to California in her 20s.

She displayed independence early in life, traveling cross-country in the automotive industry to assume executive responsibilities in the northeastern states. While this presented a degree of professional satisfaction, her desire to serve set her upon a different course.

After returning home to family and friends in California for several years, Mary relocated to Washington, D.C. for the bulk of her 30s, and achieved success as a principal staff member for two United States Congressmen. Mary fervently believed in the most ethical and honorable aspects of political life, and often stated that what decency there was in the halls of our national Capitol reflected the highest ideals upon which the Republic was founded. While she never lost faith in the nobility of public service, she ultimately left Washington without reluctance to pursue what mattered most to her - the dream of raising a family.

Enroute to that goal back in California, Mary exercised her life-long affinity for health and medicine via service as a paramedic. Within a few short years she started her own family with the birth of her son William. Raising him, exercising every effort to ensure his welfare, and sacrificing her own ambitions (at great personal expense) to ensure he was always well cared for under her roof became the hallmark of her life. In her stewardship of William through the first 20 years of his youth, Mary indelibly reflected the type of love and commitment that all children deserve.

Even after her diagnosis with Stage 3-plus breast cancer in the summer of 2018, Mary committed to the role of primary caregiver for her mother, after she suffered a broken hip in June of that year. While most would have chosen to focus on their own cancer diagnosis and treatment, Mary elected to keep herself focused on her son and mother, and doing whatever she could to provide loving care for them both.

Looking back, we can say Mary was one who we could clearly identify as painfully selfless, generous with her love and entirely committed to serving others. She liked nothing better than to be there at the right time when others needed her most. She was truly loved, and will be sorely missed. Dear Mary, until we meet again...

"For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's."
- Romans 14:8 KJV

Trisagion at 7:00pm on Friday, March 6, 2020 at Saint Sophia Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 1324 Normandie Avenue, Los Angeles, California 90006. Funeral service at 11:30am on Saturday, March 7, 2020, also at the cathedral.

Arrangements under the direction of Chapman Funeral Homes - Terry & Mary Harmon, Funeral Directors. Toll free (855) 628-0447.

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Obituary notice for Chapman Funeral Homes. Please visit www.chapmanfuneraldirectors.com .

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