Mary Lou Tingley

Mary Lou Tingley, 83, of Monroe, died Tuesday morning, February 22nd, at St. Vincent’s Medical Center. She was born in Ridgewood, NY, the daughter of August Furst and Frieda (Strauss) Furst. She attended Ridgewood Christian Church where she sang in the choir and attended youth group. She graduated from Grover Cleveland High School (P.S. 93) and attended St. John’s College in NY studying English. She was an avid reader and loved history and crossword puzzles. She was also crazy about the METS. She was predeceased by her sister, Dorothy; brother Gene; and long time husband, Art. She is survived by her daughter, Karen Cheney of Monroe; grandson, Brian of Queens, NY; niece Judith Martin of Branford, great niece, Natalie; and great nephews, Bill and Gene.

She bought her first Briard (French Sheepdog) in 1958 and fell in love with this breed of dog. She had many Briards over the next 55 years, raised numerous puppies and became a dog show judge. Later she became a champion for canine health issues particularly blindness, bloat and cancers. She was a longtime member of the AKC, Briard Club of America and Schooley’s Mountain Kennel Club.

Visiting hours will be Sunday, March 2nd from 4pm-8pm with short service at 7pm at the Spadaccino and Leo P. Gallagher & Son Community Funeral Home, 315 Monroe Turnpike. Friends and family are invited to a gathering on Monday from 10am-12pm at the funeral home. Memorial Contributions can be sent to the Briard Medical Trust, 880 Green Level Road, Boones Mill, VA 24065 or to the Christian Appalachian Project, P.O. Box 55911, Lexington, KY 40555-5911. For more information or to leave condolences please visit www.spadaccinofuneralhome.com