Mary Lou Hamilton

May 31, 1935 – July 22, 2024

Mary Lou Hamilton, of Seattle passed away July 22, at NW (U.W. Medicine) Hospital from complications during surgery for a serious knee injury. She was 89.

Mary Lou Miles was born May 31, 1935, in Bremerton, Washington, the daughter of Lewis and Bertha (Fenn) Miles. She graduated from Queen Anne High School in 1952, where she met James Hamilton. They were married soon after graduation and began their lives together, raising four children.

For many years, she worked outside the home as a cook in a large day care. From there, she baked muffins and pastries in a muffin shop. She loved the work (and sampling) until she developed allergies to the ingredients. Stepping away from baking, she worked for a short time as an associate in a downtown dress shop.

Family time was full of backpacking, car camping, going to the ocean and fishing at Surrey Lake. With the kids grown, Mary Lou and Jimmy travelled abroad, making lifelong friends along the way. Amongst them, the Russian Group. She enjoyed simple things, too, like coffee and visiting in the front room, reading in the sun and watching hummingbirds.

Mary Lou will always be remembered for the millions of cookies she baked over the years. Family and friends never left the house without a plate or two of her cookies, baked and given with love. In later years, she collected gnomes which filled every corner of her home thanks to south end family members. She will also be remembered for her love of rabbits, live or otherwise. And of course, Jelly Bellies.

Mary Lou treasured her friends and family and at each parting she responded to others’ “Love You” with her “Love You More”. She will be deeply missed by all.

She is survived and remembered dearly by her children, Laurie, Susan (George Eppler), Carolyn (Sue Grant) and Jeff (Nancy), as well as her two grandchildren, her sister-in-law Anne (Robert) Stern, along with a special niece and many dear cousins.

Mary Lou was proceeded in death by her husband Jim, her parents and a half-sister.

All those who knew and loved Mary Lou are invited to share cookies, coffee and memories at the Hamilton house on Sunday, September 29 from 2 - 5pm.

Memorials may be directed to the Medic One Foundation. Personal notes