Friday, April 12th, 1935 - Monday, October 9th, 2023
A Mass of Christian Burial for Mary Lou Walsh will be held 10:00am, Thursday, October 12, 2023 at St. Gregory the Great Catholic Church, with Father Robert Miller officiating. Burial will follow in Calvary Catholic Cemetery in Billings, under the direction of Ladusau-Evans Funeral Home and Crematory. A Rosary will be held 6:30pm, Wednesday, October 11,2023 in the Ladusau-Evans Funeral Home Chapel.
Mary Lou Walsh (Dysart) was born in Amarillo TX in 1935 to Floyd and Anna Dysart and passed away October 9, 2023. Her family moved to the Enid area when she was 6 to escape the dust bowl which had claimed the life of one of her 4 sisters. She attended Horner 1 room school southeast of Enid and then St Joseph Catholic and Memorial High Schools, graduating in 1953. While working in the accounting department of Pillsbury Mills in Enid she attended a polka dance where she met the love of her life, Robert Walsh. (He was not her date!). They were married November 26, 1955 and their son, Timothy Robert, was born in 1957. Mary Lou worked with Robert on the farm, feeding cattle and livestock, driving wheat trucks during harvest, etc. She and Robert later operated their own company, Abstract and Title Company of Enid. They both eventually attended Phillips University in the early 1970s, obtaining their BS in education.
Mary Lou taught first grade and sixth grade math/science at North Enid Public School for many years. Her classroom was a favorite spot for many students being filled with many animals and science projects. After obtaining her a Master’s Degree she later worked as the librarian for Waukomis Public Schools until she retired in 1994. She then traveled extensively with Robert in their RV, spending many winters as “snowbirds” in San Antonio, TX.
Mary Lou enjoyed numerous outdoor activities such as camping, hiking, etc. and even more extreme activities such hot air balloon rides and wild caving. She zip lined in the Arbuckle Mntns. when she was 81. She was an active member of Bethany Home Extension Club for decades. She often won awards for her cooking, sewing, quilting, writing and artistic skills. Mary Lou was an avid painter and carver, creating many beautiful relief carvings. She was a longtime very active member of St. Gregory’s Catholic Church, participating in bible studies, choir, Alter Society, bereavement dinner cochair, bazaar, etc.
Mary Lou was preceded in death by her parents, sister Norma Jean and her husband Robert.
She is survived by her son Tim, three sisters: Floydean, Betty Joe and Deloris and numerous nieces and nephews. She loved her family immensely.
Donations will be split equally between Our Daily Bread and St. Gregory’s Good Samaritan Fund, her favorite charities, with Ladusau-Evans serving as custodian of the funds.
Condolences may be made to the family online at www.LadusauEvans.com. Ladusau-Evans has been serving the families of the Enid Community and surrounding areas for over 40 years with compassionate service and dedication. They provide families with an open door policy. Feel free to contact them 24 hours a day. Visitation Hours: 8:00 am – 9:00 pm daily, 2800 N. Van Buren, Enid, OK 73703. Call: (580) 233-1400.
Obituaries are posted, in part, due to the generosity of The Commons.
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