Mary Lou O’Connell

Mary Lou O'Connell passed away on October 5, 2026 at the age of 101 years old.

Although "tired, ready and done", Mary Lou's passion for life resonated with her family, friends, career as a nurse and trips to the Hiawatha Club in the Upper Peninsula and Ireland. All who knew her know what a special and unique person she was. The example she set will be a gift we get to hold forever.

Born (March 3,1925) and raised in Decatur, Michigan , Mary Lou went on to Borgess School in Kalamazoo to earn her RN degree. She worked at Mercy Hospital for 6 years.

She was preceded in death by her husband M. Robert (Bob) in 2019 and they were married 72 years. She will join him in Ireland where she went at 97 years old to spread his ashes.

She is survived by 5 daughters, Maureen (Ray) Brown, Eileen (Ed) Idziak, Pattie (Charlie) Smith, Kathy O'Connell (Mike Pelham), and Peggy (Scott) Reynolds; 3 grandchildren, Erin (Terry) Richards, Jason (Anna) Idziak and Kelley Reynolds; and 4 great grandchildren, Joey Richards, Ben, Billy and Eliza Idziak.

Special thanks to Elara Home Health Services and Elara Hospice for their impressive care and concern. Also special thanks to her caretakers Lisa and Barb and all her friends and family that stayed in contact with her and visited her. Their constant concern and visits showed what a special person she was.

Now our turn to give back those million thank you's by cherishing her memory and following her example and sharing a cookie or some fudge with someone. Thank you mom for what you have given us…we will treasure you always.

The family will receive friends at Desnoyer Funeral Home on Tuesday, October 20 from 1:00-2:00 PM followed by a Memorial Service at 2:00 PM.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in her honor can be made to Elara Hospice.