I met Mary Lou when she was my manager at the Ministry of Education in the 80s. Even though there was  quite an age difference between us,   we remained friends after I had moved on from that job and she and Jim even attended my wedding years later. Many wonderful nights were had at their home where she cooked the most fabulous dinners and Jim shared his love of music with us. Unfortunately, as it often happens, we eventually lost touch but I would think of her often as one of the sweetest and kindest friends that I have ever had. I was actually thinking of her today and thought to google her and this notice came up. I immediately went to my recipe folder and found her recipe for the amazing garlic soup that she would often make for us when we went over for dinner! 

I offer my deepest condolences to all who knew and loved this very special woman. May her memory forever be a blessing.

I first met Mary Lou in the early 1970s when she accepted a research position with the Ontario Ministry of Correctional Services.  She made it clear from the start that her family came first and she needed to work flexible hours. That never stopped her from contributing more than anyone could have expected. Mary Lou's caring personality was appreciated by all who came in contact with her. It didn't take long for the two of us to become very close friends outside of work and that friendship continued to grow long after our careers took us in different directions.  She enjoyed entertaining friends and was an amazing cook.  Privately she always found time to offer comfort to me and others when we went through rough times. I feel blessed indeed to have had Mary Lou as a friend. I know her memory will be a comfort to her family who  meant so much to her.

Dear Mark, Barbara, James, and Marisa,

Please accept my deepest condolences on your loss.

I had the privilege of meeting Mary Lou in the early 1980s at a middle school Christmas concert, and from that moment on, she has always been a shining example of warmth and kindness. Her smile was contagious, and she faced life's greatest challenges with unwavering determination and grace.

As people age, curiosity often fades, but not with Mary Lou. She remained ever curious and eager to stay current with the times. She was, without a doubt, the coolest mom, proudly showing us how her Apple computer worked in the early '80s. When the internet was still in its infancy, Mary Lou used it to help Karl find his first apartment in San Francisco, when he moved there to pursue an exciting new opportunity in his medical career.

Despite the many challenges she faced, Mary Lou was always focused on spreading joy. She, along with her beloved Maltese, Beau, made weekly visits to St. Michael’s Hospital, bringing comfort and companionship to the sick. After Beau’s passing, Mary Lou welcomed Mikey, who brought more happiness into her life and to those she met in the Bay and Bloor corridor.

Mary Lou had a special way of shining her light into the lives of everyone she encountered. She will be deeply missed.

May she Rest in Peace.

Today, I take a moment to remember a great lady and dear friend, Mary Lou Wilkins. Our bond grew stronger after the heart-wrenching loss of her son, my friend Karl. Together, we shared countless moments—concerts that lifted our spirits, dinners filled with laughter, and many warm cups of coffee over heartfelt conversations. 

Her resilience in the face of such sadness inspired me, and I will forever cherish the memories we've created together. Mary Lou, you will be deeply missed.

Picture at the rooftop restaurant. We had a nice lunch together.

Dianne Schultz with Aunt Mary Lou. As a child I would be so excited when she would visit back home in Utica. I loved going to Grandma’s house to play with our cousins.

Today, I take a moment to remember a great lady and dear friend, Mary Lou Wilkins. Our bond grew stronger after the heart-wrenching loss of her son, my friend Karl. Together, we shared countless moments—concerts that lifted our spirits, dinners filled with laughter, and many warm cups of coffee and many glasses of wine over heartfelt conversations. 

Her resilience in the face of such sadness inspired me, and I will forever cherish the memories we've created together. Mary Lou, you will be deeply missed.

I am Dianne Schultz, the niece of Mary Lou. This is Aunt Mary Lou with her Sister in Law, Joanne Parlagreco (my Mom).  While visiting Niagara Falls my brother Dan, Mom & I decided to travel to Toronto to see her. As always she was so sweet, kind and gave us her big beautiful smile. I am so happy we visited her.  Being with her always feels like sunshine on a cloudy day.  Love you Aunt Mary Lou!

My deepest condolences to Mary Lou's family. She was indeed an uncommonly warm and sunny person, and how reassuring that her lovely family carries forward these qualities to the generations that follow.

Sending our warmest condolences to Marilou’s family. She was such a wonderful soul—kind, loving, and full of wisdom. She was more than just a friend, she was like family to us, and her warmth and presence will be greatly missed. We will miss her dearly. May you find comfort in the beautiful memories she leaves behind and the love she shared with everyone around her.

Sending our dearest condolences to the family of Marilou. She was such a wonderful soul—kind, loving, and full of wisdom. She was more than just a friend, she was like family to us, and her warmth and presence will be greatly missed. We miss her dearly. May you find comfort in the beautiful memories she leaves behind and the love she shared with everyone around her.

Hesitated to look this up I felt so terribly miss Mary Lou. This obituary was beautifully done and it is lovely to see these beautiful photos: Mary Lou’s remarkable presence shines through in each one it is really quite extraordinary. She would visit me and my dog Captain sometimes daily certainly every few days at least at the corner of Bay Bloor Mike in tow of course…often admonished for reckless  sniffing and searching for scraps. She was endlessly supportive and encouraging demanding to know the title of a non-existent novel she thought I should try to write. Her own forays to the Yorkville library…a favourite trip for her..were followed occasionally by happy reading but often stern reviews of books she was unhappy with. She detested anything needlessly dark and cynical and certainly she exemplified everything that is beautiful and positive  possibly in the human spirit. Having lost my mother and her 7 sisters to Alzheimer’s I found it extraordinary…it is not too much to say heroic..how she carried on so independently. She looked very forward to little events and meet-ups with friends, fellow Manu-life residents and her son and rest of family. She was very brave in the face of some inevitable sad.. and beyond sad…events in her life she told me about. Despite the disease her sense of judgment was unimpaired, she could offer stern rebukes.. She exemplified also some beautiful tasteful elegant charming attributes of the her Utica N. Y. American background that we are in touch with rarely here and usually just see in films of her era. I wish I could stop looking out for Mary Lou …50 times a day I expect to see her rounding the corner or coming up the street with Mike, talking to everybody, lighting up the street. It really isn’t the same street without her. Deepest condolences to her family,  to Mike and to everyone who loved her whether close or in passing. Mary Lou, a paragon of a life well and beautifully lived. All the best in Heaven Mary Lou!!

Condolences to the family for the sudden loss of Mary Lou.  I am a tenant in Manulife - and knew Mary Lou seeing walking her little Mikey through the mall and around the area for the last few years.  A sweet lady who loved you to get some treats from her and give them to Mikey. They were the sweetest couple and loved in our bldg. May she RIP

Frank Deturse

It’s only been a few weeks, and I already feel the quiet absence of Marylou. I miss seeing her around the building with Mike, her presence always warm and familiar. She had such a gentle way about her—kind, generous, and so full of love for the people in her life.

I’m incredibly grateful for the years of friendship and the many little moments we shared—conversations in passing, laughs on the street, or just the comfort of knowing she was nearby. Those memories live on, and I’ll carry them with me forever. 

Marylou was sharp, independent, and incredibly strong. She lived life on her own terms, with grace and quiet determination. To have known her is a gift I won’t forget. Even now, I find myself listening to her voicemails just to hear her voice—it brings a mix of comfort and heartache, but mostly, it reminds me of the special connection we had.

She touched more lives than she probably realized, and she leaves behind a lasting imprint. I miss her dearly.

May she rest in peace.

OBITUARY

Mary Lou Wilkins

June 29, 1933 – March 5, 2025

Rosar-Morrison Funeral Home & Chapel

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