Mary Valos

Mary Valos, the last member of one of the original pioneering Greek families in Bakersfield, has passed away.  Mary was born August 2, 1927.  She was the youngest of four children born to Gus and Flora Karastathis (Samos, Greece) in Fresno, CA.  She graduated from The Fresno Technical High School in 1945.  Shortly thereafter, she met and subsequently married Nicholas George Valos after a 3 month long romance.  She was the love of his life for 64 years, until his death in 2010.  

Mary had numerous career positions, including a data entry specialist, but she spent most of her employed years as a bookkeeper for Valos Bros Poultry and subsequently Valos Bros Food Products.  She also had numerous social/leisure activities.  This included a dance club, bridge groups, hanging with the Monday Night Football crew and cooking/hosting family Thanksgiving/Christmas dinners and parties.  She was well-known for sipping her Sutter Home White Zinfandel at these gatherings.  She enjoyed traveling to "The Mountains” (Pine Flat), as fishing was her forte, as well as trips to Pismo Beach with her husband, family and friends.  Heaven forbid if we failed to mention her love for the Los Angeles Lakers.  She had her dream night with a limo ride to the Staples Center to watch them play; her first trip to “Heaven”.  After they won a World Championship Title, she was able to see and touch the beautiful gold trophy as it made its way to a local Bakersfield Jam game (Lakers D-League team).

She is preceded in death by her parents, brothers Nicholas and Manuel Karastathis and sister Coula Dimas. She is survived by her son, Dr. Nicholas T Valos and his wife Pamela; grandchildren, Nicholas K, Kehaulani, Philip and Victoria; great grandchildren, Alexis, Nicholas IV, Luke and Niko. Pallbearers will be James Deal, Tom Drulias, Dr. Peter Plessas, Justin Schweitzer, Nicholas K Valos and Philip Valos.  Honorary pallbearers include Harry Chicklenis, Jim Vlamis, Greg "Hippo" Hanson, Tom Valos, Tommy Pierucci, Tom Savage and Margo Daoutis.

The family would like to thank Heritage Living, where she shared a home with 4 other women for the past 6 1/2 years.  The facility is operated by Tina Malhi.  Her 24 hour/day caregivers Amy and Bota are much appreciated caring for all of Mary’s needs during these years.  Prior to her group home, she enjoyed the company of her nephew, Harry Chicklenis, who not only accompanied her to many doctor visits, but was an integral part of her social circle.   A special thank you to the staff at Adventist Health Bakersfield and Kaiser Permanente (Dr. John Tran) for their excellent care in her time of need.  She joined her husband, siblings and parents with the lord on June 12, 2021.

Mary's life was celebrated on Friday, July 9, 9:00 AM at St. George Greek Orthodox Church with immediate family in attendance, officiated by Father Thomas Felactu and Father Joseph Chaffee.  Burial services followed at Hillcrest Memorial Cemetery.  Trisagion Service was held Thursday, July 8, 7:00 PM at St. George Greek Orthodox Church.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. George Greek Orthodox Church (Mary Valos Memorial Fund) or The Alzheimer's Disease Association of Kern County, 661-665-8871.