Mary Argeropoulos

Mary earned a bachelor’s degree at Wheaton College and a master’s degree at Northern Michigan University. She began her career in 1962 teaching home economics and English for two years at Caro, Michigan before accepting a similar assignment at Marquette High School in 1964. She was known and respected for being a creative and pragmatic teacher who found ways to involve all her students in learning lifelong skills. Mary was selected to serve as an exchange teacher at Westcliff by The Sea in England during the 1965 school year and returned to teach at Marquette High School in 1966 for two more years.

Mary and John Argeropoulos were married on Friday, February 16, 1968 at the United Methodist Church in Marquette. It was a short honeymoon since they were both employed and were only able to take one business day and had to return to work on Monday. They went on a shopping spree from the Tiroler Hof Motel all the way to Heath’s Hardware in Skandia to purchase a new coffeepot. However, those who knew the couple well would report that the honeymoon never ended. In 1969, Mary chose to be a full-time mother and when the children were older began teaching part-time for Marquette Public Schools and NMU. Mary then pursued coursework in library science at the University of Michigan which led to a position at Olsen Library where she retired in 1997.

Mary was a strong, vibrant woman who was blessed with a wholesome set of core values that included unconditional love of family and friends, kindness, generosity, and the ability to see the best in everyone. She always enjoyed meeting and working with a wide diversity of people and organizations. Some of Mary’s favorite activities were hiking, biking, stitchery club, investment club, international foods club, music, gardening, reading, traveling, working with Methodist women programs, volunteering, and the Northern Center for Lifelong Learning.

Mary was predeceased by her parents, Paul and Lucille Hassman of New Hampton, Iowa; her older brother, Dean Hassman of Denver, Colorado; and sister-in-law Thelma Hassman of Hudson, Wisconsin. Survivors include her husband, John Argeropoulos, son James (Jennifer) Argeropoulos of Marquette and grandchildren (Micah, Kayla, Breanna, Grace, Monet, and Peter; son Michael

(Anna) Argeropoulos of Milwaukee, Wisconsin and grandchildren Henry and Helen; brother Gordon Hassman (Sarah) of Sacramento, California; brother Ray Hassman of Hudson, Wisconsin; Sister Rebecca (Leonard) Splittstoesser of Houston, Mn; brother Gene (Linnea) Hassman of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; brother John (Kathleen) Hassman of Cedar Falls, Iowa; brother Kevin (Jan) Hassman of New Hampton, Iowa; sister-in-law Sarah Hassman of Denver, Colorado and sister-in-law Joyce (Scott) Matthews of Marquette; and a large number of cousins, nieces and nephews.

Mary’s family wants to thank Dr. Jerold Napier and his staff for his compassionate care of Mary for over 30 years; Dr. Alan Hunter who performed Mary’s first open heart surgery in 1991; and Lake Superior Life Care and Hospice who supported Mary through her final transition.

Cremation services were provided by Fassbender Swanson Hansen Funeral and Cremation Services where a Celebration of Life for Mary will be held on February 3, 2024. Friends may call beginning at 11:00 am until 1:00 pm when a time for offering tributes will be held. A reception will follow in the funeral home reception room.

In lieu of flowers those who desire a tribute for Mary may wish to consider the Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front Street, Marquette, MI 49855.

Condolences may be expressed online at fassbenderswansonhansen.com