Obituary of Mary Toskos

Toskos, Dr. Mary B., PHD (nee Barkas), 91 years old, fell asleep in the Lord on Sunday, October 12, 2014. Mary was born in New York City and raised in Astoria, Queens along with her younger sisters Diana and Helen. A graduate of Julia Richmond High School, she began work as a bookkeeper for her father's fur manufacturing business while taking courses at Hunter College. Mary's parent's William and Agnes Barkas emigrated from Kastoria, Greece. In 1943, Mary, along with her friends in the Kastorian Girl's Society (as she wrote 50 years later) "…had to do something for the war effort…and decided that they would "write and publish a newspaper to send to our boys overseas." Twenty seven issues later, they celebrated peace leaving a legacy of life in America during the war. Mary became engaged to her beloved husband of 60 years, Pasquale M. Toskos, while he was overseas. Upon his return and discharge from the Army they wed in April of 1946. Their union produced 2 children, 5 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren. Mary continued to work while raising her family and attending Hunter College at night. In 1965 she received her Bachelor of Arts degree and began teaching high school. Eventually, she became an Assistant Principal at Bryant High School in Queens and later on at Boys and Girls High School in Brooklyn. During her teaching career, she touched the lives of many teachers and students, stressing the importance of education. Continuing her education, Mary obtained a Master's Degree from Hunter College and in 1993 she received her Doctorate from New York University. It was a proud moment for her family! Following her retirement, Mary remained active in Church and professional activities. She and "Pas" enjoyed traveling around the world with friends. Mary was a gourmet cook and baker. She entertained a houseful of family and friends each year in celebration of Greek Easter, at which time everyone looked forward to her specialties such as sauerkraut peta and her famous kourabiedes. In 2003, Mary and Pas moved to Washington Twp., NJ and became parishioners of St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church where they joined Kali Parea, a senior adult organization. Following Paquale's stroke, they moved to The Cupola, an assisted living facility in Paramus. After his death, Mary continued to live there, receiving the loving care she required later in life. Mary is preceded in death by her husband Pasquale. She is survived by her son, Honorable Menelaos W. Toskos, and his wife, Chrissie, her daughter, Dr. Karen Toskos Robertson and her husband, Dr. W. Scott Robertson, grandchildren, Stephanie (and Tommy) Stavrianos, Gregory Toskos (and Chrisoula) Toskos and Christopher Toskos, Andrew Robertson, and Audrey (and Richard) Kinsman and her great grandchildren, Kyra, Dean, Andrew, Angeliki, Manny, Demetra, Will and Wyatt, and her sister-in-law Katherine Papazoglou, nieces and nephews, Eve, Nancy and Christine Costopoulos, Paul and Bill Petkanas, Cathy Toskos, Manny and Steve Papazoglou. Mary was loved and adored by many who will gather on Thursday afternoon and evening to celebrate her long and accomplished life. The family will receive guests at the Vander Plaat Funeral Home, www.vpfh.com, 257 Godwin Ave. Wyckoff, NJ from 2-4pm and 7-9pm. A funeral service will be held at 9:30am on Friday, October 17th at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, 467 Grandview Avenue, Wyckoff, NJ. She will be laid to rest in Flushing Cemetery, Flushing, NY. May her memory be eternal! In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in memory of Mary Toskos to the Benevolent Society of the Ladies of Kastoria, 150-28 14th Avenue, Whitestone, NY 11357 or St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, 467 Grandview Avenue, Wyckoff, NJ 07481.