Mary Lou Campbell (née Bowie)

Mary Lou, in her 89th year, was the much-loved wife of the late Don Campbell of Vineland. Loving mother of Susan Aldridge (Ernie), Mylene Shields (Perry), and Victoria Williams (Mike). Beloved sister of the late John Bowie (Jacqueline), Valerie Adkinson (Donald), Bill Bowie (Luba), and the late Sally Bolt (Lawrence). Cherished grandmother of Shannon Doyle d'Avout (Javier), Mathew Doyle (Laurianne), Kristen Doyle (George), Maggie Shields (Amanda), Nyla Shields (Sean), the late Ryan Shields, Garry Kyle Shields (Alex, Sean), Misty Schofield, Jesse Williams (Dana), Ben Williams (Shannon), Joel Williams, and Irene Williams. Dear great grandma to Bleuenn, Dune, Stace, Robb, Elle, Henry, Mackenzie, Declan, Caleb and Lincoln. Caring stepmother to Peter Murdza (Sue), Steven Murdza (Vivian), Debra Inglis (Rob), Cathy Preece (Craig), and Mary Jo Montalban (Michael). Affectionately nicknamed, Lou, Aunt Lou, Auntie Mamie, Grandma Lou, and Momma Lou by many others.

Mary Lou was the proud daughter of Captain John Bowie and Dinah Bowie (née Williams). Born in Hamilton in 1936 and raised in Thorold, the family settled where father’s boats sailed from. Her childhood passion for singing always had her retelling stories of when her father had returned home from ten months on the Great Lakes, Lou standing beside him at the organ after the evening meal, singing songs, while her sister Valerie had to clean up the kitchen. Married at nineteen and a mother at twenty-two, Lou took on her role as a mother with the most care. In 1965 she joined the Girl Guides of Canada and served the next twenty years as a company leader, camp advisor and trainer. Lou’s childhood passion for swimming helped shape her first career in Aquatics. She worked as a lifeguard at Bissell’s Hideaway (when it was still just a swimming hole), Supervisor at the Fonthill Pool, and Aquatic Director at both the Welland and Burlington YMCAs, finally closing out that career in the 1980s. After years as an examiner, Lou also sat as Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Burlington/Hamilton YMCA. Heading back to Mohawk College in her late forties she studied Interior Design and then graduated as an Insurance Broker which was the career that took her into retirement. An avid skier, Lou was a long-time member of the Ellicottville Ski Club at Holiday Valley in New York State. She embraced the slopes with as much grace as she embraced life. She spent many years enjoying ski trips to B.C. and abroad. Her travels were not restricted to ski trips, though. She traveled extensively to numerous countries, always seeking out any Christmas stores to bring home a special ornament for herself or family. Her blessed dogs, German Short Hair Pointers, were her pride and joy in her later years. First Carly, then Phoebe.

One of Mary Lou’s crowning achievements in life was to receive the Order of Niagara Distinction from the Anglican Church of Canada. Serving as a Lay Reader at St. Savior’s Church in Queenston, Ontario, she took the role seriously as she advocated in many ways for the congregation and clergy alike.

Being a Virgo, Lou was a perfectionist. A place for everything and everything in its place. Her home was always aesthetically pleasing, a feeling her daughters tried to carry into her residences when her dementia forced need for specialized care. Her walls were adorned with her beautiful, framed stitching of intricate cross stitch, embroidery and hardanger techniques. She kept a neat and tidy room for her and her baby dolls, whom she cared for lovingly. We embraced the comfort they brought to her in her later stages of dementia. Her disposition was pleasant, and she always had a big smile for her visitors when they walked through the doors of her wing.

Loved, respected, dedicated, hardworking and meticulous in everything she did, Lou will be missed by so many.

In keeping with Mary Lou’s wishes, cremation has taken place. A Memorial Service will be held at St. Saviour’s Anglican Church, 12 Princess Street, Queenston on All Saints' Day, Friday, November 1, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. Interment to follow at Victoria Lawn Cemetery in St. Catharines. A gathering to celebrate Mary Lou’s life will take place at The Inn on the Twenty, 3845 Main Street, Jordan starting at 2:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. in the Valley Room.

For those who wish, memorial donations to YMCA of Niagara or Girl Guides of Canada would be appreciated.

Fond memories and condolences may be shared below.