Mary Lou obtained a Bachelor’s degree at SIU Carbondale and was a 2nd grade school teacher for over 30 years at Maplewood Elementary in Cahokia, IL. She was a devout Catholic and attended Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Sparta, IL. She enjoyed traveling to Ireland with her husband Eugene, whom she married in 1952, and she loved hummingbirds and horses. Above all else, Mary Lou treasured being a mother and grammy. She was a kind, compassionate woman that never spoke ill of others and she will be dearly missed.
She is preceded in death by her parents and siblings; her beloved husband of 50 years, Eugene J. Thorpe; and her grandson, William “Gene” Wentworth.
Surviving to cherish her memory are her children, Julie Oliver and Christopher Thorpe; grandchildren, Sarah, Ruthie, Mary and Chris “Baby Brother” Jr.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or the American Parkinson Disease Association.
A private funeral service and entombment will take place at Valhalla Gardens of Memory in Belleville, IL.
