Mary H. Liapis

On Good Friday 1979, Mary was born again, a sinner saved by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. Mary went home to her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ after he sustained her through a long battle with inflammatory lung disease and other health problems. She was ever grateful to him for his forgiveness, patience and love as he transformed her heart throughout times of blessings and trials over the years, and for his provision and faithfulness in every season of her life.

During her childhood, Mary's mother encouraged her artistic leanings and supplied materials and space for her to create. As a high school senior, Mary was editor of the yearbook, which allowed her to use her ability to organize things, as well as implement creative ideas. Four years later, Mary received a bachelor's degree in art. Later in her life, the Lord graciously provided many opportunities for her to use a variety of artistic skills and mediums for church-related projects. In each church home that Steve and Mary were a part of over the years, Mary also enjoyed being a helper wherever possible and serving in various ministries including in the church nursery and as part of prayer teams.

In 1971, soon after college graduation, Mary married Eloy Ituarte, with whom she had a daughter, Michelle Marie, in 1975. Eloy and Mary separated in 1977 and divorced in June 1978. That same summer, Mary was introduced to Steve, whose last name at the time was Driscoll. (After being reunited with his birth father in 1993, Steve took back his birth name of Liapis.) In September 1979, Steve and Mary committed their lives to each other in marriage. Thus began an adventurous journey, moving six times in seven years, living in three different states. Then 21 years were spent in Tracy, Calif., before they moved an eighth time, in 2007 to Lewiston.

Steve and Mary were blessed with the arrival of Rachel Ann in Yakima in 1981, and David Alan in Wenatchee in 1983. Mary dedicated 131/2 years to home schooling Rachel and David during the time in Tracy, Calif. The onset of her lung disease occurred during their high school years at home, yet Mary was able to continue on by the grace of God. While recognizing her own shortcomings as a mother and teacher, Mary delighted in the achievements of her children, and later in the arrival of each grandchild. She enjoyed these precious gifts from the Lord as often as was possible.

Family left behind include her loving husband, Steven Liapis; daughters Michelle Ituarte Hood (Burton), and Rachel Liapis; son David Liapis (Kristina); stepdaughters Rebecca Driscoll (Rivkin), McCourt (Mark); and stepson Patrick Driscoll (Anna); grandchildren Benjamin Hood, Jacob, Katelyn, Timothy, Emily and Noelle Liapis, Nolan and Evan Rivkin, Solveig, Nora and Jon Driscoll; as well as brothers Michael (Sally), William (Cathy), John (Susan) and Joseph (Linda) Harrigan.

A memorial service is planned for noon Oct. 5 at Emmanuel Baptist Church in Lewiston. Although Mary loved flowers and all the wonderful beauty of God's creation, she asked that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to a Christian ministry such as Samaritans Purse or Wycliffe Bible Translators.