Obituary of Mary Laris

Mary Laris, 96, of State College, died Saturday, November 16, 2013, at Mount Nittany Medical Center, State College. Born August 6, 1917, in Queens, NY, she was the daughter of the late Constantine and Christina Vlamakis Louvitakis. On June 22, 1940, she married Christopher Laris, who preceded her in death in October, 1959. She is survived by two children, Goldie Janet Kroger and her husband, Manfred, of State College, and Christine Lebeau of Waco, TX; four grandchildren, Jonathan Ryckman of Cincinnati, OH, Hans Kroger of White Plains, NY, Erika von Grote of Roanoke, TX, and Stefan Kroger of State College; two great-grandchildren, Nicholas Fry and Thomas von Grote. Mary was a graduate of Ambridge High School. She took courses at New York University to satisfy her interests in art history, French, and office management. She worked for 20 years in New York City and 5 years in San Francisco in various administrative positions. After retirement, she lived in Philadelphia for several years, eventually moving to State College to be near family. Mary was Greek Orthodox by faith. She was an active Democrat, and volunteered for John V. Lindsay's 1965 New York City Mayoral campaign, among others. She enjoyed the arts and volunteered for the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, and at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Funeral services will be private at the convenience of the family. Burial will be in Graysville Cemetery. Arrangements are under the care of Koch Funeral Home, State College. Online condolences and signing of the guest book may be entered at www.kochfuneralhome.com.