Mary Ann (Fitzgerald) Wardlow, age 91, of Freeport, IL passed away on April 22, 2023 in Austin, TX. Mary was the only child of Mary and Edward Fitzgerald. She grew up in Freeport, IL and graduated from Aquin High School, class of 1949. After high school she attended Rosary College where she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics.
Mary met William R. “Bill” Wardlow when she returned home for a weekend visit from college and discovered her mother had rented out a room to him. Bill and Mary were married in 1953. Bill had joined the Navy and Mary often joked that Bill married her because the Navy would pay him more if he was married. She also joked that Bill never asked her if she knew how to cook or clean house before they got married! While Bill was deployed, Mary worked as a secretary in a local insurance office in Freeport. Mary and Bill lived wherever the Illinois Central Railroad transferred them. They lived in 11 different cities, from Chicago, IL to New Orleans, LA. Bill passed away in 1981 and Mary continued to live in Collierville, TN.
Mary loved the latest fashions, a good party and entertaining neighbors, friends and family. She always had a box of wine chilling in the refrigerator to share with those that stopped by. She enjoyed participating and traveling with the CRS group at the Church of the Incarnation in Collierville and looked forward to her Aquin High School reunions. She was involved in many charitable efforts throughout her life and remained a devoted Catholic.
She is survived by her children Ann (David) Boswell of Austin, TX; Tim (Cindy) Wardlow of Westfield, IN; and Katie (Tim) Cobb of St Augustine, FL; grandchildren, Molly Wardlow of Mobile, AL; Zach Cobb of Indianapolis, IN; and Sarah Cobb of St. Augustine, FL. Services will be held on Thursday May 11th, 11am in the Chapel at the Church of the Incarnation, Collierville, TN. Visitation to precede the service at 10am. Mary was preceded in death by her parents, Mary and Edward; and husband, Bill.
Mary relocated to Austin, TX in 2018 to be closer to family. During the last years of her life, she struggled with dementia. Many heartfelt thanks to the staff at Arden Courts Memory Care Community and Gentiva Hospice. Thank you for the exceptional level of patience, kindness and compassionate care you provided in Mary’s last years – especially during the Covid lockdown.
In lieu of flowers, Memorial tribute gifts may be made to Arden Courts of Austin’s Memory Care Fund in care of ProMedica Foundation located at MSC S18830; 100 Madison Avenue, Toledo, OH 43604 or online at https://www.promedica.org/waystogive/memory-care-fund/donate/, indicating Arden Courts of Austin.
