KENT, Conn.—Mary Batis Kolitsas, a beloved matriarch of the Greek Orthodox community in Western Connecticut whose warmth, generosity, faith and cultural devotion made her a central figure in the lives of countless family members, friends, and community members, died peacefully on May 22, 2026, of natural causes. She was a resident of Kent.
Born in Pittsburgh, Penn., she was the daughter of the late Michael Batis and Ourania “Lorraine” (Stavrianou) Georgas. Her younger years in Pittsburgh were where her happiest childhood memories were made. Many of her days were spent with her beloved Pappou Anastasios Stavrianos, who had a hot dog truck across from Forbes Field where Mary was introduced to some of the old time greats: Roy Rogers, Babe Ruth and Gene Autry, to name a few.
From 10 years old on she resided in Hoboken, N.J., with her mother and stepfather and her younger brother John. Her stepcousins, the Georgas, became her dearest friends and family. She met her best friend, Kalleope Amoratis, while working at Goodbuddy & Co. in NYC and their friendship endured for more than 70 years.
In 1956, she met and married Nick Kolitsas, her beloved husband and lifelong partner, who predeceased her in 2022. Together they built a life rooted in faith, hard work, and community, eventually settling in Danbury in June 1966, where they raised their family as part of the Assumption Greek Orthodox Church and were a part of and built several businesses.
When they retired to Lake Worth, Fla., in 2005 they became a part of the St. Catherine Greek Orthodox Church community in West Palm Beach, Fla., and were involved in all aspects of church life, and created new friends that endured during their years there, with Mary returning to Connecticut in 2023 to live with her daughter, Anna, and family until her passing.
Mary worked as a bookkeeper for the Benrus Corporation in Ridgefield and later for the Berol Corporation in Danbury, yet her true life’s work unfolded within the community she helped nurture and sustain. From 1987 to 1998, she and her husband owned and operated The Elms Restaurant in Patterson, N.Y. Whether in her home, at church functions or at the restaurant, Mary possessed a rare gift for making every person feel like family. Friends of her children filled her home daily, welcomed with open arms, abundant food and unconditional affection.
Together with her husband, she became deeply involved in the Greek Orthodox community at Assumption Greek Orthodox Church during a formative period in the 1970s and 1980s. Through tireless volunteerism and an infectious enthusiasm for Greek culture and Orthodox traditions, she helped strengthen and expand the parish community during pivotal years of growth.
She served as an officer in the Ladies Philoptochos Society, the charitable arm of the Greek Orthodox Church, and was an active member of the Daughters of Penelope, the women’s organization devoted to promoting Hellenism, education and philanthropy. She also served as adviser to GOYA, the Greek Orthodox Youth of America, and organized and taught the first Greek dance groups for the youth of the community, helping generations of children connect with their heritage through music, dance and fellowship. Many of those children grew into adults who never lost their affection for her for all of the wonderful ways she encouraged them and positively impacted their lives.
Known affectionately as “Mary the Greek,” she became synonymous with the dance galas, and cultural events that brought people together across the region during the late 1960s and 1970s.
She loved to dance. She loved her Greek culture, her Orthodox faith and her community. Above all, she loved people. Her life embodied the spirit of philoxenia, the Greek tradition of wholehearted hospitality and generosity toward others.
Mary is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Kostandinos and Denise Kolitsas, her daughter and son-in-law, Anna and Kostas Koulouris; and her beloved grandchildren, Yiannis and Nikos Koulouris, and Marina and Nicole Kolitsas. She is also survived by her brother, John (Alisa) Georgas, her nephews, Michael Goras, Kostas G. Kolitsas, Themis Kolitsas, and Andrianni Kolitsa and their families; her nieces, Christina Georgas and Anastasia Georgas; her godsons, John A. Vlamis and James Kourgielis; her goddaughter Nicole Lotk,o and her family; and many extended nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in memory of Mary to the Assumption Greek Orthodox Church, 30 Clapboard Ridge Road, Danbury, CT 06811 or online at https://www.agoc.us/.
