Mary Nestervich

Retired Clothing Stitcher and Floor Supervisor,

      Mary (Contis) Nestervich, age 93, of Lowell, died Saturday, May 31, 2014 at Merrimack Valley Hospice House in Haverhill, MA. She was the beloved wife of Michael Nestervich, a Lowell High School mathematics teacher, who predeceased her October 29, 2013.  They celebrated their 62nd wedding anniversary September 8, 2013.
    Mrs. Nestervich was proud of her Greek roots, being a 1st born American.  Born in Lowell, June 6, 1920, the daughter of the late Elias and late Anastasia (Ioannou aka Ioannes) Contis, she attended Lowell Public Schools and graduated Lowell High School as Salutatorian in 1940.
    Mrs. Nestervich made a career in the textile and garment industry of Lowell, being strongly encouraged by family to work, versus further her education.  Working in a handful of related companies, she started out briefly as a “bobbin-girl” in her early teens, to later join her older sister and mentor, as a stitcher at Jampa Inc. of Lowell.  As happened with many United States Companies and employees, Mrs. Nestervich was caught up in the World War II war efforts, and she served her country by sewing various support equipment (parachutes) and apparel (leather jackets) for the American Armed Forces.  After taking a brief time off to raise a daughter, she returned to the work force in the early-sixties, and spent a majority of her career as a Floor Supervisor at Jay Dress, managing well over 100 designers, cutters, stitchers, and other support personnel, until its closure in the mid-seventies.
    Mrs. Nestervich was a longtime member of the Transfiguration Greek Orthodox Church of Lowell, being a member of the Philoptochos Society and Daughters of Penelope.
Among her interests, were sewing, needlecrafts, and cooking.  The true joy of her life, however, was found in the love of her grandchildren.
   Mrs. Nestervich is survived by her daughter Ellen Nestervich and her husband John K. Maynard of Boxford, MA; two grandchildren Anastasia and Luke Maynard also of Boxford; and several nieces and nephews.
   Mrs. Nestervich was also the sister of the late George Contis and the late Stavroula “Stella” Tournas.
   Friends may call at the O’DONNELL FUNERAL HOME 276 PAWTUCKET ST. at Fletcher from 9:30 to 10:30 A.M. Thursday morning. Relatives and friends are invited to attend her      Funeral Service on Thursday morning at the TRANSFIGURATION GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH in Lowell at 11 o’clock. Burial in the Westlawn Cemetery.  E-condolences/directions at www.odonnellfuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers, those interested may make contributions in her memory to the Transfiguration Greek Orthodox Church, Father John Sarantos Way, Lowell, MA 01854. Arrangements by Funeral Directors James F. O’Donnell, Jr. and John W. Crane (978 or 866) 458-8768.