Mary Lou Olsen

Mary Lou was born in Lincoln, Illinois on June 6, 1937 to the late William Elon & Virginia Martin. She graduated from Illinois State University in 1959 with a degree in education. Mary Lou was a member of St. Mary’s Episcopal Church in Morganton. She retired after 25 years of dedicated service with the Burke County Public School System. She was teacher of the year at Oak Hill Elementary School for the 1984 – 1985 school year and later worked at Table Rock Middle School. Mary Lou’s passion was teaching and she loved being with her family, friends, and pets. She also enjoyed reading, writing poetry, gardening, and birdwatching. She will be greatly missed.

She is survived by two daughters, Dawn McGimsey & husband Greg of Morganton and Diane Villa & husband Juan of Asheboro; and two grandchildren, Chelsea McGimsey of Raleigh and Daniel McGimsey of Morganton.

A memorial service will be held at 6:30 p.m., Friday, July 17, 2015 at the Memorial Chapel of Kirksey Funeral Home in Morganton with Rev. Laura Roach and Rev. Mike Costner officiating. The family will receive friends following the service at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Diabetes Association, 1701 North Beauregard Street, Alexandria, VA 22311; or Burke Hospice and Palliative Care, 1721 Enon Road, Valdese, NC 28690. Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.kirkseymorganton.com.