Mary Lou Lewis, St. Louis, died May 31 at de Greeff Hospice House after a brief illness.

Mary Lou was born Dec. 29, 1930 in Weaubleau, MO, the only child born to Mabel Lindsey Brookshire and Roy L. Brookshire.

She was a graduate of Weaubleau High School and Southwest Missouri State College-Springfield, where she was a member of the Alpha Delta Pi sorority. After college, Mary Lou worked in banking.

She married Madison Paul Lewis on June 19, 1953 and they had one daughter, Cynthia Lou, who was born in 1960. Paul died of cancer when Mary Lou was just 49.

Cindy and her husband Dennis Douthit had four children: Ryan Douthit, Amy (Douthit) Knifong, Madison Douthit and Elizabeth Douthit. Mary Lou also leaves two great grandchildren, born to Amy and Trent Knifong, and several cousins.

When Cindy was in her teens, Mary Lou embarked upon a career with McDonalds Corporation. She was selected as a high potential management prospect to attend McDonald's Hamburger University in Chicago where she received extensive training in restaurant management. Often her store received top awards.  She thoroughly enjoyed her career with McDonalds and, particularly mentoring young employees,

Mary Lou was athletic and enjoyed sports as a spectator and participant, most notably tennis and golf as an adult. For years, she played golf at Barry Hills Golf Course in Bridgeton. She also loved to travel and enjoyed time at the beach.

She was raised a Methodist but converted to Catholicism, later in life.

The family extends thanks for the fine care Mary Lou received from nurses at de Greeff and from caregivers at Bethesda Dilworth, where she resided the last five years.

Graveside services will be held at 10:00 am Friday, June 4, at Bellerive Gardens Cemetery, 740 N. Mason, Creve Coeur.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the charity of your choice honoring Mary Lou.