Obituary of Mary M. Zamary

Mary M. Zamary, 88, the beloved wife of George J. Zamary, Jr., formerly of Bridgeport and currently of Trumbull, entered into eternal rest peacefully at the home of her daughter Deborah, after a courageous two year battle with cancer. Mary was born on April 21, 1927 to the late Moses and Freda Mosessian. The daughter of Syrian and Armenian immigrants, she lost her father at the age of six. She and her two brothers were raised by a single mother in the south end of Bridgeport during the Great Depression. It was from these humble beginnings that Mary possessed a strong work ethic and absolute devotion to her family. Mary began her career in the Underwood Factory. She also worked with her mother and two brothers in the family business, George's Market, a popular establishment on the City's East Side. During that time, she met the love of her life, George, at a local church gathering. They would be life partners for 65 years. Their bond was a close one both personally and professionally, as they owned and operated side by side, Fairfield County Tobacco and Candy Company. She ran the show both there and at home, where she raised 4 children that were her pride and joy. Mary had an absolute and unwavering devotion to her faith and her church, where she was an active parishioner of St. Nicholas Antiochian Orthodox Church, where she was a member of the Ladies Auxiliary, helped run weekly coffee hours following church and was an active cook for annual church festivals. Her family was one of the founding families of the church, which was constructed in 1951. After retirement, Mary would travel with her husband and enjoy frequent trips to the casinos of Eastern Connecticut, Las Vegas and Atlantic City, where she was an exceptional poker player. Mary also began each day with a daily exercise schedule that included four miles of walking at the Westfield Trumbull Mall, where she would make many new friends in retirement and become a fixture there each morning. Mary's four greatest accomplishments were her children and her nine points of light were her grandchildren, who she absolutely loved and adored. She was always there to cheer her grandchildren on at dance recitals, sporting events and when they would graduate from college and law school. She absolutely loved to cook Middle Eastern food for her family at each and every holiday and she was known as an exceptional cook by all that knew her. Mary is survived by her husband, George, her four children and nine grandchildren. Deborah Herbst, and her husband Michael of Trumbull, Patrice Elias and her husband Michael of Trumbull; George Zamary III of Stratford, David Zamary and his wife Debra, of Milford. Her nine grandchildren, First Selectman, Timothy M. Herbst of Trumbull, Amanda Herbst of Orange; Lindsay Bell and her husband Derek of Danbury; Justin Elias of Bethel; Kathryn Elias of New York, NY; Stephanie Hernandez and her husband Fernando of Trumbull; Megan Zamary and her fiance, Chris Arthur of Trumbull; Taryn Zamary of Milford and Jenna Zamary of Waltham, MA and two great grandchildren, Giovani Hernandez and Emmy Bell. She is also survived by a brother, Kosta Mosessian of Bridgeport, a sister-in-law, Doris Mosessian of Trumbull, and a daughter-in-law, Pamela Gale of Monroe as well as several nieces, nephews and extended family. In addition to her parents, Mary was predeceased by two brothers, John and George Mosessian. Calling hours will be from 4:00-8:00 PM on Wednesday, March 9, 2016 at the Abriola Parkview Funeral Home, located at 419 White Plains Road, Trumbull with a Trisagion Service at 4:00 PM. A funeral service will commence on Thursday at 10:00 AM directly at the St. Nicholas Antiochian Orthodox Church, located at 5458 Park Avenue, Bridgeport with Father Romanos Maloof officiating. Interment will follow in Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Trumbull. In lieu of flowers, donations in Mary's memory may be made to the American Cancer Society 372 Danbury Rd., Wilton, CT 06897 or to Ability Beyond at www.abilitybeyond.org, an organization which supports Mary's disabled grandson, Justin. The family wishes to thank Dr. Guido Napolitano, Dr. Jerry Malefatto, Visting Nurse Services (VNS) and all others who provided care during her illness.