Mary Lou White

Mary Lou White

If you called her Amma, Lucy, Moo, Butch or a friend you already know how such a tiny person can leave a hole larger than all of time and space.

On July 4th at 10am Mary Lou took her last struggled breath. It was the third stroke over a five-year winddown that took her consciousness and finally wrung out the last of her life force. She was 88 and she was ready to go see her high school sweetheart and husband of 58 years – Robert L. White, who passed in 2016.

There was nothing about Mary Lou’s childhood that was easy or that would seemingly create such a warm powerhouse of a mother and grandmother. Her hardship forged the essence of the life she created. In everything, she chose the hardest possible path. If it was one percent better and 99 percent more difficult – that was the path she took every time. In doing so she made everything better, neater, cleaner, more meaningful but mostly more magical. Her three sons (Bob, Bill and Tom) were treated to colorful birthdays filled with table surprises wrapped to perfection. Even the less celebrated holidays were made to be special with pumpkin and heart shaped cookies frosted with mom’s love.

When her two grandchildren came along (Tim and Mary), they became the focus of every thought, family dinner, Christmas and birthday. Amma poured her heart into filling their childhood with magical bunny cakes, apple pie made with apples from her yard and her musical laughter. We were all treated to her selfless listening and laughter that will live forever.

Mary Lou deeply touched the hearts and lives of her remaining sisters and our family spouses. Joanne, Leslie, Julie, Kelsey, Trevor, Jordan and Kelley are forever loved and changed by Amma/Moo. Even when it is spickering outside, the world can see Amma shining within you.

Beyond the borders of our family, Mary Lou rooted for the world’s underdogs. She wanted to solve homelessness and while she waited for those solutions, she dedicated 20 plus years as a volunteer at the Father Fred Foundation where she folded clothes and worked long hours at the garage sales to raise money for those struggling among us. This is not to say she didn’t bring home a bargain or two from Father Fred to add to her magical closet where she could enter wearing play clothes and exit ready for the runway. She was amazing like that.

If Amma were here now, she would say that we have already frittered away too much time and too many words on her. She would give us the raised right eyebrow and put a broom in our hands with strict instructions to start in the corners and use firm short strokes to tidy this place up.

We love you Mom, Mary Lou, Lucy, Amma, Moo, Butch.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Father Fred Foundation.

An informal gathering will be held from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm Tuesday, July 8, 2025 at the family home, 4885 White Rd. Williamsburg.

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