October 20, 1943 – January 3, 2015
Mary Lou Renz passed away as she had lived — with beauty and grace. She died peacefully in her Roberts Creek home with family she loved dearly close by. Mary Lou faced her diagnosis of cancer with courage, dignity and peace, supported in life by her faith, family, friends and loving husband Fritz Renz.
She was born on October 20, 1943 in Tacoma, WA. Mary Lou graduated from Annie Wright School in 1961. After high school she attended Willamette University in Oregon where she had the opportunity to study abroad in Spain, London and Germany. There she discovered her love for the European culture and languages. In 1983, she graduated with her B.S. in Psychology and B.A. in English Literature from the University of Puget Sound.
She first met Fritz in Tacoma, and after a lengthy, loving relationship, they married in Calgary in 1987. In 1989, her husband’s work brought them to the Sunshine Coast where they fell in love with Roberts Creek. Mary Lou had a deep love for her husband, children, family and friends. Between them, she and Fritz have five children: Brigitte, Michael (Wendy) and Veronica, Nathalie (Bruce) and Christine (Ben); and nine grandchildren: Lukas, Oliver, Ella, Halle, Jonathan (Victoria), Matthew, Natasha, Joel and Karsten. She will be remembered by her sister Margaret Ann Hardwick (Joe) and family. They were treasures to her.
Together Fritz and Mary Lou embraced their love of Europe, hiking, skiing, beach walks and developing long-lasting, deep friendships all over the world. She lived a creative and full life and was an avid reader, writer and cherished friend and neighbour.
A memorial service will be held at the Gibsons Public Market (www.gibsonspublicmarket.com) on Saturday, January 10, 2015 at 3:00pm.
Thanks for the outpouring of love and support from friends and family and to the caring medical professionals at Hummingbird Naturopathic Clinic, Dr. Sara LaSuta and the Home Care Nursing staff. Memorial donations can be made to St. Mary’s Hospital or a charity of your choice. Condolences can be left in the guest book in the main meeting area.
Mary Lou’s light will always shine in the hearts of those who knew and loved her.