Obituary published in the Lynn Item, June 21, 2021
Mary Ann Athanas, 69
1952 - 2021
Mary Ann Athanas, 69, of Shelburne, Vermont, formerly of Swampscott, passed away peacefully at home on June 12, 2021, following an 18-month battle with cancer. She is survived by her loving husband William Zabiloski, brothers Lewis Athanas and Peter Athanas, nephews Jason Athanas and Andrew Athanas, and a very large and close extended family in the Boston area, too numerous to list, of which she was an important and beloved relative.
Mary Ann was born on February 1, 1952, in Lynn, MA to Ruth and Lewis Athanas and grew up in Swampscott, exhibiting an amazing athletic aptitude at an early age. She graduated from Swampscott High School in 1969, and the University of New Hampshire in 1973 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education. Mary Ann was a golfer, archer, and tennis player, all at a professional level, as well as an expert equestrian and swimmer. She was an instructor at Buff Ledge Camp, where she fell in love with Vermont and her future husband, Bill Zabiloski, known to his close friends as "Zab". She spent most of her adult life in Vermont.
It should be noted that Mary Ann had scores of close friends, not mere acquaintances, dating back to grade school, with whom she has been in constant contact, long before there was such a thing as social media. Her love for family and friends was boundless. Mary Ann's life was never without her dachshunds, beginning as a child with three different "Strudies", at least two "Chupas" (Albanian for "dog"), down to the present time with her beloved Peytie, who was at her side when she passed.
Her amazing people skills served her well in her work life. Mary Ann was an expert and energetic Sales and Marketing professional, whether for a bank, video business, cell phone company, the Burlington Free Press or the Chamber of Commerce. The final 10 years of her professional life were as an account representative for Procter & Gamble. After retiring, she volunteered at several schools in the Burlington area, as well as at a hospice agency.
By far the most important thing to Mary Ann was the home life she built with her husband of 32 years, Bill Zabiloski. Whether playing golf, boating in their classic Chris Craft around Lake Champlain, or entertaining, theirs was a close, loving, and special relationship.
Golf was Mary Ann's passion and pursuit during her life. She was a member of the Burlington Country Club for 35 years and on the Board of Directors of the Vermont State Women's Golf Association. She played in numerous amateur tournaments and State Days. In 1984, Mary Ann and Zab were the Vermont Amateur husband-wife low gross champions.
Mary Ann was also a professional photographer, a skill she learned initially from her father. Not surprisingly, people were often her main subject, and she produced many limited edition books and calendars for her clients, friends and family. She was an expert at restoring film photographs, and made a quick transition to digital photography, which is an achievement in itself.
A special thanks and heartfelt appreciation is owed to her long-time primary care physician, Peter Gunther, MD; and to the University of Vermont Medical Center Hematology and Oncology team of nurses, staff and caregivers, as well as the wonderful UVM Home Health and Hospice team. Their care, respect and compassion meant so much.
Mary Ann's close friend, Betsy Allen Booz, who has been at her side through the years and has been so helpful in making Mary Ann's final arrangements, deserves special recognition.
There is currently no date for a service or memorial for Mary Ann. Later in the summer, a date will be announced for a remembrance and celebration of her life to be held in Swampscott for all her family and friends.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Humane Society of Chittenden County, 142 Kindness Court, South Burlington, VT 05403. Email: [email protected].
Mary Ann Athanas, 69
1952 - 2021
Mary Ann Athanas, 69, of Shelburne, Vermont, formerly of Swampscott, passed away peacefully at home on June 12, 2021, following an 18-month battle with cancer. She is survived by her loving husband William Zabiloski, brothers Lewis Athanas and Peter Athanas, nephews Jason Athanas and Andrew Athanas, and a very large and close extended family in the Boston area, too numerous to list, of which she was an important and beloved relative.
Mary Ann was born on February 1, 1952, in Lynn, MA to Ruth and Lewis Athanas and grew up in Swampscott, exhibiting an amazing athletic aptitude at an early age. She graduated from Swampscott High School in 1969, and the University of New Hampshire in 1973 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education. Mary Ann was a golfer, archer, and tennis player, all at a professional level, as well as an expert equestrian and swimmer. She was an instructor at Buff Ledge Camp, where she fell in love with Vermont and her future husband, Bill Zabiloski, known to his close friends as "Zab". She spent most of her adult life in Vermont.
It should be noted that Mary Ann had scores of close friends, not mere acquaintances, dating back to grade school, with whom she has been in constant contact, long before there was such a thing as social media. Her love for family and friends was boundless. Mary Ann's life was never without her dachshunds, beginning as a child with three different "Strudies", at least two "Chupas" (Albanian for "dog"), down to the present time with her beloved Peytie, who was at her side when she passed.
Her amazing people skills served her well in her work life. Mary Ann was an expert and energetic Sales and Marketing professional, whether for a bank, video business, cell phone company, the Burlington Free Press or the Chamber of Commerce. The final 10 years of her professional life were as an account representative for Procter & Gamble. After retiring, she volunteered at several schools in the Burlington area, as well as at a hospice agency.
By far the most important thing to Mary Ann was the home life she built with her husband of 32 years, Bill Zabiloski. Whether playing golf, boating in their classic Chris Craft around Lake Champlain, or entertaining, theirs was a close, loving, and special relationship.
Golf was Mary Ann's passion and pursuit during her life. She was a member of the Burlington Country Club for 35 years and on the Board of Directors of the Vermont State Women's Golf Association. She played in numerous amateur tournaments and State Days. In 1984, Mary Ann and Zab were the Vermont Amateur husband-wife low gross champions.
Mary Ann was also a professional photographer, a skill she learned initially from her father. Not surprisingly, people were often her main subject, and she produced many limited edition books and calendars for her clients, friends and family. She was an expert at restoring film photographs, and made a quick transition to digital photography, which is an achievement in itself.
A special thanks and heartfelt appreciation is owed to her long-time primary care physician, Peter Gunther, MD; and to the University of Vermont Medical Center Hematology and Oncology team of nurses, staff and caregivers, as well as the wonderful UVM Home Health and Hospice team. Their care, respect and compassion meant so much.
Mary Ann's close friend, Betsy Allen Booz, who has been at her side through the years and has been so helpful in making Mary Ann's final arrangements, deserves special recognition.
There is currently no date for a service or memorial for Mary Ann. Later in the summer, a date will be announced for a remembrance and celebration of her life to be held in Swampscott for all her family and friends.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Humane Society of Chittenden County, 142 Kindness Court, South Burlington, VT 05403. Email: [email protected].
Obituary published in the Lynn Item, June 21, 2021
Mary Ann Athanas, 69
1952 - 2021
Mary Ann Athanas, 69, of Shelburne, Vermont, formerly of Swampscott, passed away peacefully at home on June 12, 2021, following an 18-month battle with cancer. She is survived by her loving husband William Zabiloski, brothers Lewis Athanas and Peter Athanas, nephews Jason Athanas and Andrew Athanas, and a very large and close extended family in the Boston area, too numerous to list, of which she was an important and beloved relative.
Mary Ann was born on February 1, 1952, in Lynn, MA to Ruth and Lewis Athanas and grew up in Swampscott, exhibiting an amazing athletic aptitude at an early age. She graduated from Swampscott High School in 1969, and the University of New Hampshire in 1973 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education. Mary Ann was a golfer, archer, and tennis player, all at a professional level, as well as an expert equestrian and swimmer. She was an instructor at Buff Ledge Camp, where she fell in love with Vermont and her future husband, Bill Zabiloski, known to his close friends as "Zab". She spent most of her adult life in Vermont.
It should be noted that Mary Ann had scores of close friends, not mere acquaintances, dating back to grade school, with whom she has been in constant contact, long before there was such a thing as social media. Her love for family and friends was boundless. Mary Ann's life was never without her dachshunds, beginning as a child with three different "Strudies", at least two "Chupas" (Albanian for "dog"), down to the present time with her beloved Peytie, who was at her side when she passed.
Her amazing people skills served her well in her work life. Mary Ann was an expert and energetic Sales and Marketing professional, whether for a bank, video business, cell phone company, the Burlington Free Press or the Chamber of Commerce. The final 10 years of her professional life were as an account representative for Procter & Gamble. After retiring, she volunteered at several schools in the Burlington area, as well as at a hospice agency.
By far the most important thing to Mary Ann was the home life she built with her husband of 32 years, Bill Zabiloski. Whether playing golf, boating in their classic Chris Craft around Lake Champlain, or entertaining, theirs was a close, loving, and special relationship.
Golf was Mary Ann's passion and pursuit during her life. She was a member of the Burlington Country Club for 35 years and on the Board of Directors of the Vermont State Women's Golf Association. She played in numerous amateur tournaments and State Days. In 1984, Mary Ann and Zab were the Vermont Amateur husband-wife low gross champions.
Mary Ann was also a professional photographer, a skill she learned initially from her father. Not surprisingly, people were often her main subject, and she produced many limited edition books and calendars for her clients, friends and family. She was an expert at restoring film photographs, and made a quick transition to digital photography, which is an achievement in itself.
A special thanks and heartfelt appreciation is owed to her long-time primary care physician, Peter Gunther, MD; and to the University of Vermont Medical Center Hematology and Oncology team of nurses, staff and caregivers, as well as the wonderful UVM Home Health and Hospice team. Their care, respect and compassion meant so much.
Mary Ann's close friend, Betsy Allen Booz, who has been at her side through the years and has been so helpful in making Mary Ann's final arrangements, deserves special recognition.
There is currently no date for a service or memorial for Mary Ann. Later in the summer, a date will be announced for a remembrance and celebration of her life to be held in Swampscott for all her family and friends.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Humane Society of Chittenden County, 142 Kindness Court, South Burlington, VT 05403. Email: [email protected].
Mary Ann Athanas, 69
1952 - 2021
Mary Ann Athanas, 69, of Shelburne, Vermont, formerly of Swampscott, passed away peacefully at home on June 12, 2021, following an 18-month battle with cancer. She is survived by her loving husband William Zabiloski, brothers Lewis Athanas and Peter Athanas, nephews Jason Athanas and Andrew Athanas, and a very large and close extended family in the Boston area, too numerous to list, of which she was an important and beloved relative.
Mary Ann was born on February 1, 1952, in Lynn, MA to Ruth and Lewis Athanas and grew up in Swampscott, exhibiting an amazing athletic aptitude at an early age. She graduated from Swampscott High School in 1969, and the University of New Hampshire in 1973 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education. Mary Ann was a golfer, archer, and tennis player, all at a professional level, as well as an expert equestrian and swimmer. She was an instructor at Buff Ledge Camp, where she fell in love with Vermont and her future husband, Bill Zabiloski, known to his close friends as "Zab". She spent most of her adult life in Vermont.
It should be noted that Mary Ann had scores of close friends, not mere acquaintances, dating back to grade school, with whom she has been in constant contact, long before there was such a thing as social media. Her love for family and friends was boundless. Mary Ann's life was never without her dachshunds, beginning as a child with three different "Strudies", at least two "Chupas" (Albanian for "dog"), down to the present time with her beloved Peytie, who was at her side when she passed.
Her amazing people skills served her well in her work life. Mary Ann was an expert and energetic Sales and Marketing professional, whether for a bank, video business, cell phone company, the Burlington Free Press or the Chamber of Commerce. The final 10 years of her professional life were as an account representative for Procter & Gamble. After retiring, she volunteered at several schools in the Burlington area, as well as at a hospice agency.
By far the most important thing to Mary Ann was the home life she built with her husband of 32 years, Bill Zabiloski. Whether playing golf, boating in their classic Chris Craft around Lake Champlain, or entertaining, theirs was a close, loving, and special relationship.
Golf was Mary Ann's passion and pursuit during her life. She was a member of the Burlington Country Club for 35 years and on the Board of Directors of the Vermont State Women's Golf Association. She played in numerous amateur tournaments and State Days. In 1984, Mary Ann and Zab were the Vermont Amateur husband-wife low gross champions.
Mary Ann was also a professional photographer, a skill she learned initially from her father. Not surprisingly, people were often her main subject, and she produced many limited edition books and calendars for her clients, friends and family. She was an expert at restoring film photographs, and made a quick transition to digital photography, which is an achievement in itself.
A special thanks and heartfelt appreciation is owed to her long-time primary care physician, Peter Gunther, MD; and to the University of Vermont Medical Center Hematology and Oncology team of nurses, staff and caregivers, as well as the wonderful UVM Home Health and Hospice team. Their care, respect and compassion meant so much.
Mary Ann's close friend, Betsy Allen Booz, who has been at her side through the years and has been so helpful in making Mary Ann's final arrangements, deserves special recognition.
There is currently no date for a service or memorial for Mary Ann. Later in the summer, a date will be announced for a remembrance and celebration of her life to be held in Swampscott for all her family and friends.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Humane Society of Chittenden County, 142 Kindness Court, South Burlington, VT 05403. Email: [email protected].
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