Support for Mary Lou's Memorial

My aunt Mary Lou passed away on August 10, 2021 after three weeks in the hospital and several years struggling with congestive heart disease. My mom, Maya, and Mary Lou’s daughter, Laura, were there with Mary Lou throughout the night before and when she passed peacefully around noon. Mary Lou celebrated her 87th birthday in the hospital on July 30.

I am so grateful to have known her generous, loving spirit as are those who knew her . . . over the years, Mary Lou was a central “hub” in our extended family -- director of the tamale assembly line, protector of generations of wayward nieces and nephews, and dispenser of loving and firm advice to family members who sought her out . . . Mary Lou was devoutly spiritual and her life and memory will be honored at services on Sunday and mass and burial on Monday.

We are asking for support so that Laura may grieve the profound loss of her dear mother without carrying the financial burden alone. In the last several years Laura also lost her only siblings -- eldest sister Joanna in 2015 and middle sister Grace in 2017, after their own protracted illnesses. Laura continues to support her father Eddie, who at 91 years old is blind and with dementia, and was recently moved to a nursing home.

Meanwhile, through this time Laura was diagnosed and treated for breast cancer, which is thankfully in remission. Given her role as her parents’ primary caretaker, the loss of her sisters, and her own recovery, Laura has not been able to work full time in many years. We are setting a goal of $10,000 to assist with funeral costs and expenses.

Mary Louise was the sixth child of the 12 children of Refugio and Refugia Valverde. She is survived by her youngest daughter, Laura, grandchildren Bianca, Eric, Asakwah, Sarah, and Gilbert Xavier; and great-grandchildren Maliyah and Anthony. Mary Lou also leaves behind two sisters, Genevieve and Maya, brother Frank, and countless nieces and nephews.

Adored mother, grandmother, sister and aunt, Mary Lou’s kindness, humor and humility will be deeply missed and she will be held in loving memory. We appreciate your prayers for our family and any support you can offer at this time.