Mary Lou Shay

Mary Louise Shay, 86, passed away on December 26, 2022, at Riverside Hospital in Columbus, Ohio. Mary was born in Forest Hills, New York, to S.J. and Martha Dilenschneider and was the third of four children raised by Martha.

Mary Lou’s father, a newspaper executive with Scripps-Howard, was transferred to Columbus, Ohio. It was there that she met her husband, Robert E. Shay while studying at St. Mary of the Springs Academy. They married on February 15, 1958, when she was 21 years old. Her husband’s career as a television broadcasting executive took them around the country including Cincinnati, Columbus, Boston, Los Angeles, and New York.

Mary was a wife, mother, teacher, writer, leader, and world traveler. She raised three children: Mary Beth, Robert, and David. Mary Lou enjoyed teaching children and for many years was a Teacher’s Assistant in Port Washington, NY. She was also fond of writing and wrote for several television shows when living in Studio City, California. When living in New York City for 25 years, she was a Board Member of her co-op building. Later in life, she enjoyed traveling and touring many countries in the world with her husband and siblings.

In 2005, Mary Lou and Robert retired to Columbus, Ohio, to embrace much beloved family. She is survived by her husband; her three children Mary Beth (Joseph) Sweeney, Robert (Sallyann) Charles Shay, and David Scott Shay; her brother Robert (Janet) Dilenschneider; and her sister Martha (Cort) Doughty. She will be most profoundly missed.

Her brother, Bob, enrolled Mary Lou in the St. Patrick’s Cathedral Mass enrollment society. She will be remembered in a monthly Mass celebrated the first Sunday of each month for one year. He also arranged for 50 white tulips to be planted in Central Park, New York, and Mary Lou’s obituary to be published in the New York Times on Friday, January 6, and Sunday January 8.

In lieu of flowers, please say a prayer for Mary Lou. To share memories and condolences, please visit www.schoedinger.com. Arrangements entrusted to Schoedinger Northwest.