Mary Lou Krantz

Mary Lou (Lulu) Krantz (née Terris) passed away peacefully on Monday, August 13, at Hoag Hospital in Newport Beach, California, surrounded by her children Robert and Cathy, daughter-in-law Tricia, and grandchildren. Mary Lou was born on November 11, 1928, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin to Robert and Penelope Terris, who immigrated to the United States from Tropea, Greece. Mary Lou was preceded in death by her two siblings, Elaine (Selaiden) and George. Mary Lou is survived by her daughter Cathy Evangelatos (née Krantz), and her two sons Robert and Timothy Krantz. She is the proud grandmother of William and Chris Evangelatos and Chris, George, Nick, and Alex Krantz. She will be missed as well by her loving daughter-in-law (Robert’s wife) Tricia Krantz (née Karetas) and niece Anthe (Selaiden) Liuzzo.

Mary Lou’s mother Penelope Panotsopoulos immigrated from Tropea, Greece, at the age of 18, and her father Robert Terris immigrated from Olympia, Greece, to Wisconsin. They met in Wisconsin, had an arranged marriage, and were married for 59 years. Mary Lou, who was known to her friends and family as Lulu, was extremely close with her siblings, who were her best friends, as well as with her cousins Irene Savas, Lambia Alexopoulous, and Marion Ivalis.

Mary Lou’s brother, George R. Terris, graduated from DePaul University Law School in Chicago, IL. He served in the Korean War from 1950 to 1952, in the G-2 Unit, Special Intelligence Service in Anchorage, AK, where he was as a decoder who helped the US Army decode intercepted Russian messages. Her sister, Elaine Selaiden, graduated from the University of Milwaukee and was an elementary school teacher in Elm Grove and the Milwaukee school systems for 17 years.

Mary Lou attended the University of Milwaukee for two years before starting work at an ad advertising agency in the local administration of MGM in downtown Milwaukee. She then moved to San Francisco for a few months before her wedding to Christ Krantz. They divorced after 37 years of marriage.

Mary Lou loved to travel and learn about historic art and artifacts of previous generations, especially those of Greece. She pursued writing and painting before settling down, getting married, and starting a family. She enjoyed the ocean, sea, and beach and 1940s movies as well as film noir. She had impeccable taste, and she was an amazing cook and avid reader who loved Agatha Christie mystery’s novels. Most important, she was an exceptionally devoted mother and grandmother who will be greatly missed. I wonder if they have popcorn night in heaven?

The Trisagion Memorial Service will be held at the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Greek Orthodox Church at 5761 E. Colorado St., Long Beach, on Saturday, August 18, at 10:30 a.m. Father Christos P. Kanakis will be officiating. Mary Lou will be laid to rest in Newport Beach next to her brother George. The reception will be held at the Balboa Bay Club and Resort at 1 p.m.