Obituary for Mary Louise Lewis
MARY LOU LYONS LEWIS BOARDMAN - Mary Lou Lyons Lewis, 87, passed away Friday evening, Feb. 18, 2017, at Hospice of the Valley, Hospice House, with her family at her side. Mary Lou was born Oct. 28, 1929, in Bradford, Pa., a daughter of the late James and Gertrude Arnold Lyons. Raised in Bradford, Mary Lou was a 1947 graduate of Bradford High School, where she specialized in secretarial studies. She married her late husband Ted and in 1950, moved to Youngstown where they raised four children, Karen, Craig, Kim, and Kent. Mary Lou cherished her role as a wife, mother, and grandmother and balanced this with her 50-year career as a receptionist. She worked for several companies including 10 years for Bucheit Construction and 30 years for the Trinity United Methodist Church, where she retired. She was a member of the Youngstown Charter Chapter of American Business Women’s Association and in 2009, was honored as Woman of the Year. The support and cure for Alzheimer’s was near and dear to Mary Lou and in the 1970s, she was one of the charter members of the very first Youngstown Alzheimer’s Association. As a child and young adult, Mary Lou was involved in community theater and that passion continued throughout her life. She loved supporting local community theater and her favorites were children’s performances and musicals. She was an active and loyal member of the Zion Lutheran Church. Mary Lou, or “ML,” as some called her, had an insatiable appetite for life and all it had to offer. She greeted each day with her infectious smile, energy, optimism, style and grace. She loved surrounding herself with friends and family, cooking and entertaining. Her personality drew people to her. She never met a stranger and welcomed new friendships with open arms wherever she went. Her uplifting spirit will live on with everyone who knew her. She will be sadly missed by her four children and their spouses Karen and Tom Egan of Aiken, S.C., Craig and Mary Gaye Lewis of Richardson, Texas, Kim and Bob Novak of Poland, and Kent and Karen Lewis of Danielson, Conn.; her grandson, whom she adored, Huntley Lewis of Dallas; brother-in-law, Bill (Louise) Lewis of Columbus; two sisters-in-law, Velma Bridge of Bradford and Mary Lewis of Bradford; many nieces and nephews; and her adopted granddaughter, Megan. Besides her parents, Mary Lou was preceded in death by her stepfather, John Neely; her husband, Ted, who died on Oct. 10, 2000; two brothers, James and Richard Lyons; and one sister, Margie Painter. Funeral services will be held Saturday at 11 a.m. at the Zion Lutheran Church, with the Rev. Duane Jesse officiating. Family and friends will be received Friday from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Davis-Becker Funeral Home in Boardman, and Saturday from 10 to 10:45 a.m. at the church. Contributions may take the form of memorial gifts to the Zion Lutheran Church, 3300 Canfield Road, Youngstown, OH 44511.