Mary Lou Vassar

Born November 15, 1933 in Greenwood, Mary Lou attended Meredith College in Raleigh following graduation from Greenville High. In 1953 she married Robert Blair Vassar, a junior officer in the U.S. Army, and began an itinerant sojourn as Army wife and mother of four. By dint of her husband’s numerous reassignments Mary Lou and her growing family traveled to and resided in a variety of military communities in locations in the South and West, with one stint in Germany.

Mary Lou worked first as aide then addiction counselor at Willingway Hospital in Statesboro, Georgia, and along with Robert developed what would become lifelong friendships with many members of the 12-step community. Returning with Robert to Greenville, Mary Lou continued her service to those struggling with addiction in her work with Greenville Hospital, where she worked until her retirement.

Mary Lou and Robert became members of Greenville’s First Presbyterian Church, where she developed a prayer card ministry bringing comfort and inspiration to many in her faith community. Central to Mary Lou’s professional, social and spiritual life were the values of compassion, acceptance and courage, values she exemplified to the very end for those who knew her.

Mary Lou loved writing, classical music, the fellowship of friends, visits to New York, and quiet interludes reading or watching an old movie. She had a warm smile and a hearty laugh that could light up a room.

She is survived by her sister Elizabeth Akers; her children Susan Eaton, David Vassar, John Vassar, and Sandra Elkins; grandchildren Robert Eaton, Lorie Ann Vassar, Diane Sinclair, and Benjamin Vassar; and great-grandchildren Penelope and Oliver. She is predeceased by her beloved grandson John G. Eaton.

Memorial Service will be held Wednesday, February 15, 2017 at Greenville First Presbyterian Church, 200 W. Washington St., Greenville, SC 29601 at 2:30 pm. Family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. Private burial at Woodlawn Memorial Park, Greenville, SC.

In lieu of flowers memorial gifts may be made to the Greenville First Presbyterian Church, 200 W. Washington St., Greenville, SC 29601; or to the ministry program “The Family Effect” at the Westminster Presbyterian Church, 2310 Augusta St, Greenville, SC 29605.