Author Biography

Mary Kachoyeanos is of Greek-Irish ancestry. She spent her formative years in Chicago, Illinois.

She now lives in a suburb outside of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Nursing and a Doctorate in Educational Psychology. Mary had a long career as a nurse; primarily in the care of children and families. She held faculty positions at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, Loyola University of Chicago and was the Dean of the School of Nursing at the Medical College of Wisconsin.

Mary’s nursing career was dedicated to the care of children and families. To this end she taught student nurses the care of children and families, was an administrator of a pediatric unit and a dean of a School of Nursing and research coordinator. Her main research interest is in parental grief. She has published several articles on parents’ responses to the sudden death of their child. She used this knowledge in creating Zoe’s response to grief.

She has been an advocate for nurses and along with her colleague, Dr. Janet Kraegel, conducted a series of interviews with nurses relative to their work experiences. These interviews were collated and included in a book, “Just a Nurse,” published by Dutton.

Her current book, Zoe, was inspired by the stories her mother and aunt related to her over afternoon tea and apple slices. Many of the stories are true, others are a product of her imagination. The story of “Zoe” provides a different perspective on the immigrant experience: one in which two young women must traverse the fine line between the demands of their father’s Greek heritage while continuing to honor their deceased mother’s Irish heritage.

“Zoe” is a story of a woman who rejects the mores of her culture in order to find love and fulfillment. It is every woman’s dream.

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Mary invites you to contact her at mkachoyeanos@wi.rr.com

Dedication

This book is dedicated to my mother, Helen(nee Genevieve) and aunt, Dorothy (nee Grace).

The story of Zoe is partially based on actual events related to me by my mother and aunt: Two women who exemplified the strength of the human spirit. They grew up in a “mixed” household. Their father was a Greek immigrant, their mother of Irish Catholic background. After their mother died, they were assimilated into the Greek culture and always identified themselves as Greeks.

Growing up, I was regaled with stories from my mother’s and aunt’s youth, some stories were amusing and some were very sad. Many of the events in “Zoe”, such as their name change are true, others are a product of my imagination.

Mary Kachoyeanos,
January , 2024

Acknowledgements

Zoe would not have come to be without the support and assistance of many people. First and foremost is my friend and colleague Michael Koski, the author of DEAR BEN, a story of Benjamin Franklin. The characters in Zoe would not have come to life without his extraordinary talent.

Elfrieda Abbe, Maureen Badding , Zoe Ganos, Laurel Kashinn and Julia Werner were all generous in the time they gave to read the manuscript and provided invaluable suggestions.

Last but not least I owe a debt of gratitude to my friends and family who never waivered in the support of the story of Zoe. My nieces: Kathy, Janet and Kristin, my nephew John and my sister-in-law Gail have always been my cheerleaders, as was my brother George. Alice Bradee, Lynn Carey, Pat Radoszewski, Luella Rill and Carole Wegner and Florence Selder offered continuous encouragement.

Thanks to you all.