Mary Louise Trunk Hile

Charlotte - Mary Louise Hile, 99, passed away Christmas Eve, December 24, 2017 after spending the day with her family in her Charlotte home. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:30 am on Wednesday, January 3, in the chapel of St. Gabriel Catholic Church with Fr. Frank O’Rourke as Celebrant. A reception of family and friends will follow the Mass.

Mary Lou was born on November 5, 1918 in Clarion, PA, the third of six children to Marie Stauver Trunk and John Eugene Trunk, all who have predeceased her. She graduated in 1940 as a home economics major from Penn State University where she met electro chemical engineering student and love of her life, Bill Hile. They were married the following year on George Washington’s birthday, and for nearly 72 years after that.

Mary Lou and her late husband Bill lived a life of travel, family and golf. Following World War II, they lived in Michigan, Connecticut (Stamford and Weston) before finally moving to Charlotte in 1955, when Bill, assisted by Mary Lou, established a manufacturers’ representative company. They joined the then fledgling Carmel Country Club and also spent more than 40 years of winters golfing in and around Vero Beach Florida. They loved to attend golfing events and the sport took them around the world, sometimes as US golf ambassadors to various countries.

Mary Lou had several other passions, including higher education for women. She was a member of the American Association of University Women for nearly 60 years. In addition, she was a long standing member of the Professional Engineers Auxiliary. She served both organizations as president and in other offices, using her abilities as an innovative organizer as well as being known as a gracious and consummate hostess. Mary Lou loved art in many forms, from fashion to architect Frank Lloyd Wright. In her later years, Mary Lou painted water colors and oils of subjects and scenes close to her, many which decorate the walls of family and friends. As a longtime member of St. Gabriel Catholic Church, she liked to join in its many activities including the women’s fun and fit exercise group.

Mary Lou is survived by a son, Kirk Hile and his wife Paula Perry; a daughter, Diane Johnston; and two grandchildren: Kristin Johnston Bell and her husband, George, of Lake Forest, IL, and Dr. Kirkwood Johnston of Houston, TX. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Gabriel Catholic Church, 3016 Providence Rd., Charlotte, NC 28226.