Mary Lou Crown

Charlotte - Mary Lou Simon Crown died on February 15, 2015 at the age of 91 at her home in Charlotte, NC surrounded by her family. Born Mary Louise Simon, July 21, 1923, in Kalamazoo, MI, she attended Saint Augustine Cathedral School in Kalamazoo and was a graduate of Smith College, class of 1945, where she majored in American Studies. While working at IBM in the training department she met her husband, Joseph S. E. Crown. They married in 1959 and reared their four daughters in Poughkeepsie, NY. It was there that her true vocation emerged: cherished friend and dedicated volunteer.

Mary Lou and Joe retired to Charlotte, NC in 2004. In Charlotte, Mary Lou found many kindred spirits at the Church of the Holy Comforter, her neighbors at Magnolia Place and her friends from Nancy Nicholson’s “Gentle Seated Yoga” class, all of who helped make Charlotte a home for her during the last 11 years. Heartfelt thanks go out to the lovely caregivers at Humana/Senior Bridge, specifically Lilly Johnson, Mary Montgomery-Davis, Sharline Pryce, Ena Meza and Milka Bajic, whose loving, gentle and unwavering care helped to make Mary Lou comfortable during her final days.

Mary Lou is survived by her four devoted daughters, Jane and Nancy of Charlotte, Susan and her husband Greg Toto of Piedmont, CA, Mary and her husband William Ellis of Wellesley, MA; as well as her six grandchildren, Molly and Sam Crown, Katherine and George Toto, Corson and Simon Ellis; and her sister-in-law, Betty Crown of Media, PA. She will be remembered most for her love of opera, classical music and the written word, her knowledge and interest in current events and her excellent word usage and grammar. Ever the mother, she was correcting the pronunciation and grammar of her children up until the end, schooling them in the proper use of “lay” versus “lie”. Mary Lou’s legacy will be that of community service, lasting friendships, both new and old, and the importance of family.

A memorial service will be held on Monday, February 23, at The Church of the Holy Comforter, 2701 Park Road, Charlotte at 2 pm.

Memorials may be made to Loaves & Fishes, 648 Griffith Road, Charlotte, NC 28217.