Mary Louise Francis Bolchoz Tallant

Mary Lou, the oldest of six children, was born in Charleston, South Carolina in 1934 to Eugene Richard and Louise Heaton Bolchoz. She attended Sacred Heart Grammar school and Bishop England High School. Mary Lou married her husband, Arnold Tallant, an active duty naval petty officer, and for the first 15 years of their marriage they moved to military bases across the U.S. Eventually they settled down with their six children in Arlington and later Falls Church VA where they resided for 48 years.

Mary Lou is survived by five of her six children, son Thomas (spouse Lauri) Tallant of Front Royal VA, daughters Joy Tallant (spouse Jonathon) Busch of Springfield VA, Catherine Tallant of Falls Church, VA, Rebecca Tallant (spouse Patrick) Mani of Virginia Beach, VA, and Judith Tallant (spouse Stephen) Baggett of Leesburg, VA. In addition she is survived by eleven grandchildren Jessica (spouse Kelvin) Houghton, Eric Busch (spouse Adriana Vizuete), Tate (spouse Julie) Motts, Elizabeth Busch, Andrew Busch, Ashlynne Sisk (spouse Michael Rico), Abbigale Sisk, Mary (spouse Jacob) Mosh, Olivia Mani, Slater Baggett and Evan Baggett, as well as 8 great grandchildren Chloe Busch, Martin Houghton, Caroline Houghton, Nico Busch, Julia Hope Motts, Trace Motts, Adilynne Sisk, Autumn Rico and one great, great grandchild Saint Busch.

Mary Lou is also survived by her two sisters, Peggy Bolchoz (spouse William L.) Morrison of Charleston, S.C. and Collie Bolchoz (spouse Hugh) Yarborough of Monks Corner, S.C., as well as many cousins, including Kay Manning and Caroline Bebout, whom she spoke with everyday.

Mary Lou is preceded in death by her husband of 58 years, retired Naval Lt. Commander and CACI executive, Arnold Tallant (2008), and her beloved first child, daughter Marilyn Tallant (spouse Leon) Motts who passed away January 23, 2023, as well as her parents, Eugene and Louise Bolchoz, and her 3 brothers Eugene Richard (spouse Jay) Bolchoz Jr., Abney C. (spouse Carolyn) Bolchoz, and Timothy J. (spouse Janet) Bolchoz.

Mary Lou was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin and friend. She was a Christian, with tremendous faith, and prayed daily for her family members, friends, as well as for politicians, leaders, governments, and nations. She was compassionate and tolerant, and routinely supported national and international charities that provided food and medical care to children in the poorest regions. During her entire life she always seemed to be surrounded by children, from her siblings, to her own children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Mary Lou was a talented singer, with a beautiful soprano voice. At the early age of 10 years old, she auditioned and won a recurring singling role on the popular radio show, "The Stars of Tomorrow." She sang weekly for the next two years, and this experience ignited a lifelong passion for singing and performing. She was a member of the St. Anthony’s church choir, and also a member of a local vocal group that sang at various community events, including a special performance at the Washington Kennedy center. She was a talented painter, and hand painted fine china. Mary Lou was a gifted author and wrote several short stories and poems. She loved flowers and was an avid gardener who at one time had over 100 rose bushes. She was an active member of the St. James prayer group, and Northern VA Writers Club. Mary Lou was friendly, cheerful, and kind and always made time to listen and support those in need. Her family and friends grieve the significant loss of this very important, beautiful woman.