Christine Samaras - Obituary

hristine Bakalis Samaras, 91, a resident of Annapolis for over sixty years, passed away on March 9, 2012 in Annapolis from congestive heart failure. Born July 27, 1920 in Manchester, New Hampshire to the late George and Despina Bakalis, Christine was raised in Beckley, West Virgina and was a graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School and Beckley College. She was married to Nicholas G. Samaras of Annapolis, Maryland in December, 1943, just before he departed to serve in the South Pacific during WWII. Nick and Christine moved to Annapolis in 1950 where Nick founded and operated the DeLuxe Dry Cleaners. She was preceded in death by her husband Nick on October 4, 1965 and later by her two brothers Nickie and Jimmy, both renown West Virginia state high school football and basketball athletes who made their mark in college ball as well. Christine dearly loved and was devoted to her family, her Greek Orthodox faith and enjoyed her 50 years of employment in the Income Tax Division of the State of Maryland, retiring as a Supervisor in January, 2004. At her retirement ceremony, she was presented with a 50 year plaque by then Comptroller Donald Schaefer who noted that Christine had most likely set some kind of record by working for nine Governors and four Comptrollers during her 50 years with the State. Christine worked tirelessly for the Sts. Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church by chairing Annapolis’ annual Greek Festival fund raiser over many years. All who worked with her when she chaired the Festivals clearly remember her strict adherence to ensuring every penny was accounted for and that every product served was of the highest quality. She worked with the Festival in one capacity or other for over 30 years. In earlier years, she was also active in the Church’s Agia Anna Philoptochos and assisted on many other fundraising committees. In later years, she loved traveling, being with family particularly her grandchildren and enjoyed playing bingo with other residents of Sunrise Senior Living of Annapolis on Bestgate Road. Christine devoted her life to her work, her church and community and most of all, her family. Her endearing smile, generosity and kind spirit will always be remembered, we love you Mom & Yaya and deeply, deeply miss you.You will remain in our hearts and prayers always. She is survived by her sons George and wife Jeanne of Fair Oaks Ranch, TX, and Nick and wife Darlene of Edgewater, MD. She is also survived by grandchildren Elizabeth (Richard) Waring of Dallas, TX, Dr. Eleni (Chester) Allen of Apex, NC, Nicholas (Nancy) Samaras of Dallas, TX, Jennifer Maurin of Boerne, TX, Richard (Lorrain) Gartner of Lantana, TX and Jennifer (Sean) McKeown of Annapolis, MD, and by six great grandchildren Lauren and Chet Allen, Lillian Waring, Logan Maurin, Kaitlynn Gartner and Ceili McKeown. Friends are invited to Christine’s Life Celebration from 7 to 9 p.m. on Sunday, March 11 at the George P. Kalas Funeral Home, 2973 Solomons Island Road, Edgewater. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, March 12 at Sts. Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church, 2747 Riva Road, Annapolis, MD. Internment at the St. Demetrios Cemetery, Riva Road following the funeral services. Donations may be made to Sts. Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church. An online guestbook is available at www.kalasfuneralhomes.com.