Mary Elizabeth Vitas

Published 8:00 pm Tuesday, September 27, 2016

Seaside

June 8, 1928 — Aug. 22, 2016

Mary Elizabeth Vitas passed away peacefully at home Aug. 22, 2016. Born June 8, 1928, to Walter and Mary Overton, Mary grew up in Waterbury, Connecticut, sister to two brothers, Joe and Everett.

As a young woman in Connecticut she met the love of her life, Peter Vitas, when he offered her a ride home from work. Together they had four sons, Peter Jr., Michael, Mark and Jeffrey. In 1968, Mary and Pete Sr. moved their family to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where they stayed until moving to San Diego, California, in 1977. Mary spent many years traveling with her son, Jeff, before relocating to Seaside, Oregon, in 2006 to be closer to family.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Pete Sr. (1992), and son, Mark (1983). She is survived by sons Peter Vitas Jr. and Jeffrey Vitas of Seaside, Oregon, and Michael Vitas of Kauai, Hawaii; and granddaughter Stefanie Jylkka of Cape Cod, Massachusetts.

Mary’s life took her to each corner of the country, spending time with friends and family. Mary loved people. Many of her years in Seaside were spent strolling the Prom, and sitting down with anyone she could find to say hello to and enjoy a story with. She enjoyed all of her neighbors and visitors, and spent a piece of each day feeding the birds.

Mary will be missed for many things, but mostly for her happiness. There was never a bad day in her house. She was always smiling and taking the time to find the good in everything.