Mary Georgia Roman passed away at age 96 on May 17th, 2023. She was born in Brevard, North Carolina on November 5th, 1926, to the late Constantine and Soultana Roman. At the age of 6 years old, her family moved to Jacksonville, Florida, where she attended local schools and was a 1945 graduate of Andrew Jackson High School. She attended Florida State College and Jacksonville University. She was employed by the Internal Revenue Service for 36 years in the Service Branch of the Audit Division.
Significant aspects of Mary’s life are present in various civic, charitable, and church activities and organizations, such as the American Cancer Society, the United Way Program, and the Christian Appalachian Program. She was a member of the University Club, the Cummer Art and Garden Gallery, Children’s Home Society, Friends of the St. Photios Shrine in St. Augustine, Florida, and served as a volunteer on the Meals on Wheels program and St. Anne Soup Kitchen duties. She also co-chaired duties in establishing the renovation of a room for family residence with the City Rescue Mission program.
Mary was a life-long member of St. John the Divine Greek Orthodox Church, where she was a member of the Choir and served as Choir Director for over 25 years. Her love for music and the arts led her to organize the first Junior Choir and Dance Group for her parish. She was a member of the Philoptochos Society where she served as a Vice-President and Secretary for the Ladies Society and was the originator of the Philoptochos Memorial Scholarship Fund. She also co-chaired the Philoptochos Women’s Retreat and Vacation Bible School for the youth ages. She served on the staff of the Programming Curriculum for the Sunday School program and taught religious classes as well. One of the most enjoyable duties she served was as Church Librarian and Historian. As Chairperson of the Archives Committee, she produced a pictorial directory and developed a video (Glory to Glory) transcribing the history of the St. John the Divine Greek Orthodox Church from the beginning year of 1916 with the late Dr. Theodore Panos.
Her talents as a teacher, writer, artist, and student of church history affirmed a statement of her heritage and ideals to dignify and embrace the days of tomorrow with Christian love. It was most gratifying to have shared a moment in the growth of second and third generations of the St. John the Divine youth and see the joy and success in their lives as Christian adults and leaders. She was honored and received the Archangel Michael Angel Award from Metropolitan Alexios of the Metropolis of Atlanta for voluntary services in city, committee, and community events.
Mary’s inspiration for service was the Holy Bible (James 2:17) which lived her faith through service, and the quote by Emily Dickinson (1830-1896) “If I can stop one heart from breaking, if I can ease one life from aching, or cool one pain, or help one fainting robin into his nest again, I shall not live in vain.”
Mary is survived by her sister Ethel Mastrogianakis, her niece Deanna Mastrogianakis, her nephew Dr. Larry Deno Mastrogianakis (Christie), and many cousins and dear friends.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM on Saturday, May 20th at St. John the Divine Greek Orthodox Church with Reverend Dr. Nicholas G. Louh, Reverend Dr. Milton Magos, and Reverend Sebastian Mot followed by interment in Evergreen Cemetery at 4535 Main Street, Jacksonville, Florida.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in memory of Mary Roman to St. John the Divine Greek Orthodox Church or to the Iconography Fund at 12760 Beach Blvd., Jacksonville, Florida, 32246. Arrangements are under the care and direction of Hardage-Giddens Funeral Home of Mandarin.
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