Mary George Mallas of Newtown Square, Pennsylvania, formerly of Springfield, passed away on June 12, 2026, surrounded by loved ones. She was 93.
Born Mary George Costalas on April 20, 1933, she grew up in Philadelphia as the daughter of Greek immigrants. Her heritage remained close to her throughout her life, especially during the summers she spent with relatives in Chios, Greece, a place that became part of her family’s story and memory.
Mary met her husband, George Mallas, on the beach one summer. From that meeting came a life centered on family, shared history, and the three daughters they raised together, Jamie, Eleni, and Diana.
From a young age, Mary carried herself with energy and confidence. In high school, she was remembered as a student leader, athlete, dancer, organizer, and loyal friend. Those qualities stayed with her. She was warm, funny, stylish, honest, and full of personality, the kind of person whose presence changed the feeling of a room.
Her family knew her as the center of gatherings, the mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and YiaYia who made people feel at home. She loved to travel and see the world, but some of her happiest moments were around her own table, hosting holidays, telling stories, filling the house with laughter, and making sure there was always more food than anyone could finish. Even smaller family traditions, including late-summer “Hoagie Days,” became lasting memories because Mary knew how to make ordinary time feel special.
She was also active in the life of Saint Luke Greek Orthodox Church and devoted time to the Greek Orthodox Ladies Philoptochos Society. Most recently, she was a “Gardens Team” bocce winner at White Horse Village.
Mary is survived by her daughter, Jamie Wilson, and her husband, Russell Wilson; her brother, Nick Costalas; her grandchildren, Dominic Rafetto, Gianna Wiseley, Nicholas Rafetto, Michael Wilson, and Victoria Wilson; and her great-grandchildren, Margot, Enzo, Alessandra, and Maeve. She was preceded in death by her husband, George Mallas; her daughters, Eleni Rafetto and Diana Mallas; and her brother, Jim Costalas.
Family and friends may visit on Friday, June 19, 2026, from 10 to 11 a.m. at Saint Luke Greek Orthodox Church, 35 North Malin Road, Broomall, PA 19008. The funeral service will begin at 11 a.m. Interment will follow at SS. Peter and Paul Cemetery in Springfield.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Penn Medicine’s Abramson Cancer Center or to Saint Luke Greek Orthodox Church in Mary’s memory.