Mary Louise Prather

Cape Cod Resident – 25 years

EASTHAM Mary Louise “Mary Lou” Prather of Eastham passed away peacefully in Cape Cod Hospital after a brief illness. She was surrounded by her children Susan and William.

She was born in Clearfield, PA, the daughter of Neal and Amy (Diehl) Imler. She went to work at Sears where she met and married Earl Prather who passed away in 1998. They were happily married for 49 years. They moved to Cape Cod in 1985 after having lived in several areas of Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Connecticut and New York, locations, where Earl’s job took them.

She was a former member of the Orange Congregational Church and a very active and long time member of the Eastham United Methodist Church. She was exceedingly generous of her time with the Church as an active member of the Women’s Group. Be it the Summer time Church Chowder Suppers, the crafts fair, or the fall Rummage sale, Mary Lou participated. In the spirit of always trying to help others she also gave generously of her time to the Thrift Shops of the Eastham Council on Aging and the St Joan of Arc’s Church in Orleans. Beyond these efforts she was an avid gardener, a member of a quilting group, a gifted crafts person and flower arranger. Her home was always graced with beautiful floral arrangements accompanied by craft pieces consistent with the season.

She is survived by her son William Prather of West Haven, CT, daughter Susan Persbacker, and husband Greg Persbacker also of Eastham, MA, sister Catherine Shillenn of Hebron, IN., and 3 nieces.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00AM on Thursday, September 8, at the Eastham United Methodist Church, Rt6, Eastham, MA. Everyone is invited to attend an informal coffee and tea service back at the Church immediately following the service to celebrate Mary Lou’s life. For anyone wishing to attend the interment, services will follow this reception in the Evergreen Cemetery in Eastham.

Memorial donations may be made to the Eastham United Methodist Church, Rt 6, Eastham, MA 02642.