Mary P. Vance

Mary Peter Vance, 95, passed away July 12, 2003 in her home at the Westland Meridian Retirement Community. She was the beloved mother of Joanna Palacas, and her husband James Palacas; step-mother of Andrew Vance, who preceded her in death and his wife Olvia; step-mother of Kay Johns and her husband Michael Johns; 13 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; three nephews; and one niece. Mary was born September 1, 1907 in Peloponnese, Greece, but grew up in a town near Smyrna, Asia Minor (Turkey). She and her family were forced to flee for their lives from their homeland and eventually immigrated to the United States in 1921 and settled in Washington, D.C. In 1927 she married Andrew Nickas and together they set up their home in Canton, Ohio. After her husband's sudden death in an automobile accident in 1935, she and her only child, Joanna, returned to live with her parents in Washington, D.C. Mary worked in the Department of Justice and later in the Department of Commerce. In 1951, she married Peter Vance, who preceded her in death in 1986. Visitation Tuesday, 2 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Trisagion prayer service Tuesday, 5:30 p.m., both at Horan & McConaty Family Chapel, 3101 S. Wadsworth Blvd. Funeral service Wednesday, 10:30 a.m., Cherry Creek Presbyterian Church, 101500 E. Belleview Ave. Interment, Crown Hill Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in the memory of Mary Vance to the Westland Meridian Community Library. Mary Vance will be remembered for her courage, tenacity, generosity, graciousness, and zest for life.