Mary Brass

Mary Brass, a retired businesswoman, church member, and member of the Toledo Opera Guild, Toledo Symphony League and the Toledo Museum of Art died peacefully on Sunday, April 20, 2008 in New Jersey. A life-long Toledo resident, Mrs. Brass was the daughter of Spyros and Stergianna Zelles and was the sister of the late Peter Zelles. She was 83. She and her husband, the late Steve A. Brass, together owned several businesses in the Toledo area, and she worked by his side as treasurer in their endeavors. Their marriage was filled with love and dedication. The tireless attention and love as an advocate and caregiver that she showed for her husband enhanced and prolonged his life in his final illness. As an active member of her community and as a woman proud of her Greek American and Orthodox Christian roots, Mrs. Brass was a life-long member of the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral which her husband, the late Steve A. Brass, served as a member of the parish council. Since her youth she served her church in many capacities: she was a choir member and Sunday School teacher. She served the Philoptochos, a women's philanthropic organization at Holy Trinity, and was known for actively participating in the organization's many activities. Mrs. Brass was a life-long member and Past President of the Daughters of Penelope, and was awarded a certificate of honor in recognition of her 45-year membership in the organization in 2005. She was also a member of the "Young at Heart," Holy Trinity's senior citizens' organization. Mrs. Brass's hobbies included the arts, the opera, and the symphony. Mrs. Brass's love of the arts inspired her life-long membership with the Toledo Opera Guild. In 2002 she was the selected as the winner of the Opera Guild's contest to re-name the organization's monthly publication. Her winning entry was "The Promise". She wrote: "We promise everyone a great opera, lovely educational teas, and beautiful friends." She was also a life-time member of the Toledo Symphony League. Mrs. Brass also attended exhibits at the Toledo Museum of Art and for many years enrolled and took her grandchildren to the museum's summer art classes. She loved gardening and was a member of both the Merry Gold Garden Club of Toledo and the Garden Club Forum of the Toledo District and was known amongst her friends for her flower gardens, fruit trees and exquisite flower arrangements. She was also a great cook and baker and added a special touch to everything. An outstanding calligrapher, her calligraphy added beauty to many wedding invitations. Additionally, her knitting and crochet work were admired by all. The intricate and beautiful altar cloths that she made for Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church will be on the altar at the funeral service. Her greatest loves were her husband, Steve A. Brass who passed away November 2000; her daughter, Anita Kartalopoulos, a Manhattan attorney; Son-in-law Dr. Stamatios V. Kartalopoulos, an engineering professor; and her two grandchildren, William (Dartmouth '97) and Stephanie (Harvard '01, University of Florida '03). She was entirely devoted to her family, her faith and her church community. Services will be Thursday, April 24, 2008 at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral at 11:00. Friends are invited to visit from 4-8 pm on Wednesday at the Ansberg-West Funeral Home (472-7633), 3000 Sylvania Avenue, where Trisagion prayers will be offered by the Very Rev. Aristotle Damascus at 5 p.m. Interment will be at Toledo Memorial Park. Contributions in the memory of Mrs. Brass may be made to the Holy Trinity Memorial Fund. May her memory be eternal.