Mary Louise Wagner, 79, of Cherry Grove, PA., died Saturday afternoon, October 24, 2020 at UPMC Hamot, Erie, PA., after a brief illness. She was born May 15, 1941 in the Republic of Panama. She was the daughter of Francis Perry and Rita France Kotalik Washabaugh. Mary Louise was a Cherry Grove resident since 1974, moving there from Albion, PA. She was a graduate of Cristobal High School in Cristobal-Colon and a graduate of St. Vincent School of Nursing, Class of 1962. She was employed at Pittsburgh Children’s Hospital, Spencer Hospital of Meadville, PA., and was the office nurse with the late Drs. Mull and Peters. She was a Cherry Grove Township Supervisor. Mary Louise was a member of St. Anthony’s of Padua R.C. Church, member of their Catholic Daughters of America and Cherry Grove Volunteer Fire Department. She raised Scottish Highland Cattle, enjoyed being a foster parent, flower gardening and along with her husband, they were foreign exchange student parents.
She is survived by her Children – James W. Wagner, II and wife, Kathryn of Cherry Grove, PA, Dr. Jean M. Lindsey of Bourbonnais, IL, Jennifer S. Wagner of Erie, PA, John P. Wagner of Cherry Grove, PA, Judith F. Fischer and husband, Eric of Kasilof, AK, Rafael Figeroa Godoy of Guatemala Central America, Foster Son Scott Hoyt and wife, Darlene of Kane, PA, her Siblings – Francis Perry Washabaugh of Casper, WY, Theresa Harvey and husband, Melvin of Dubuque, IA, Ruth Macel DeSalvo of Glen Burnie, MD, Paul R. Washabaugh and wife, Joanne of Rock Hill, SC, James P. Washabaugh and wife, Cindy of Rapid City, SD, 9 Grandchildren, 6 Great Grandchildren, several nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 53 years, James W. Wagner whom she married September 3, 1962 in Harborcreek, PA, who died December 29, 2015.
Friends may call at St. Anthony’s of Padua R.C. Church, Sheffield, PA. on Thursday, October 29, 2020 from 10:00 A.M. until 11:00 A.M. A Mass of Christian Burial will be conducted at 11:00 A.M. with Fr. Stephen Schreiber, Pastor, officiating. CDC guidelines will be enforced, six feet social distancing and face masks are required. For those who are unable to attend the Mass, a livestream feed of the Mass will be facilitated at https://www.facebook.com/events/1302018903479524.Those wishing to place memorials may do so through Cherry Grove Volunteer Fire Department, 6045 Cherry Grove Road, Clarendon, PA, 16313, or St. Anthony of Padua R.C. Church, 7222 Route 6, Sheffield, PA, 16347, or a charity of one’s choice. E-mail condolences may be sent by visiting www.lewisfuneralhomeinc.com. The Donald E. Lewis Funeral Home, Inc. has been entrusted with funeral arrangements.
I will miss you sister… but I know you are happy to be with the love of your life… Jim, your wonderful husband there in heaven. God’s Peace be with all of you. James and Cindy Washabaugh, Rapid City, SD
I’m so sorry for your loss she was a wonderful woman
Dear cousins, so sorry for your loss. I hope your time together brings shared stories and comfort.
We will miss you Cousin Mary Louise. Mom, your Auntie Sue, loved you dearly and enjoyed your daily calls. James, John, Jean, Jenny,and Judy, Donna and I are so sorry for your loss.
Saddened to learn of Mary Lou’s passing. We have great memories of Mary Lou and Jim, going all the way back to high school days, through our adult lives and to the age of senior citizens. We treasure those thoughts. Our sympathy and love to the wonderful Wagner family.
Dear Washabaugh and Wagner families, It is with great sadness that I reach out to all of you with love and prayers on your loss of my wonderful Canal Zone friend, Mary Lou. My wonderful memories of our times together from elementary school through high school will ease my grief until we meet again in heaven.
It was a gift to be with Mary Lou at a brief but perfect reunion in Nashville last October.
Blessings to all of you.
Jean Seaman Maher
Thanks Jean for your kind thoughts about my sister ML. She has such a great time in Nashville with you all. I will miss Mary Louise so much. All the years keep flowing back as we celebrate her life. She was a blessing to us all.
Thoughts and prayers to all of the Wagner family.
With deep sympathy,
Jeff,Heidi,Tyler,and Abby
Labesky
So sorry to learn of MaryLou’s passing! We have wonderful memories of our school days at Cristobal High
Know she was loved by many, touched many lives and will live on in the hearts and memories of all who knew her.
Condolences to all her family and extended family.
Dennis and Wendy Cotton Corrigan
So very sorry to hear of Mary Louise’s passing. Memories come quickly to mind of our times in the Canal Zone, school, Girl Scouts and St. Mary’s.
We still talk about running into her parents on Alligator Alley years ago. They were in their camper and wondered who were the crazy people trying to stop them. They had Washabaugh printed on the outside of their camper.
Please accept our deepest sympathies.
Eternal rest grant to her, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon her. May she rest in peace.
Winters and Alice Hope
We were sorry to hear about the passing of Mary Lou. We have many fond memories of her during the time she was our neighbor in Albion. Our thoughts and prayers are with your family.
Esther Buschak and Sally Buschak Irick
64 years ago Mary Lou became part of the glue that held our class of ‘59 together. I’m so very sorry to learn of her passing. Though I was a shy and not very popular classmate during our high school years Mary Lou was always nice to me and went out of her way to talk with me. Such was her nature and I always appreciated her kindness. Our closeness grew as we shared school activities such as band and orchestra and swimming. At one of our class reunions 50 years after our graduation she finally signed my yearbook and left a personal message that touched my heart. I will keep her forever on my mind and in my heart. My sincere condolences to the Washabaugh and Wagner families. May God comfort you and welcome our Mary Lou into his loving arms.
Mary Lou was my earliest friends in Cristobal. I have tons of good memories with her, just hanging out and having fun. I’m working on a book entitled “CZBrats Forever” and Mary Lou is featured in some of the goofy things we did as kids.
I have some photos of her as a girl in the scout troop my mom led as well as a terrific pic of her as a teenager. If you want prints of them feel free to email me and I will send them.
Please send to 1430 NE 56 St. Ft. Lauderdale Florida 33334. James Brooks
So sad to hear of Mary Lou’s passing. Like Alice, have great memories of times spent with her in Scouts, St. Mary’s, and CHS. She was President of our senior class. Always a smile and kind to all. Remember her siblings growing up and know how much she will be missed. Sending our Sympathy, Love, and Concern to all the family. Pat and Carl Pinto
Sorry to hear about Mary Lou’s passing. I remember her as a very kind & caring person when i spent time at there home in Albion. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Jim and the whole Wagner family. Allen & Kathy Duda
Wagner children;
Your mom was amazing and I was so blessed to know you all when we were children in our little “neighborhood”. Her love was so strong for everyone, esp children. My prayers and condolences at this time. May the void you feel now be soon filled with the warm memories of her beautiful life with you!
I think of you all often, such great memories! Reach out and get in touch (amydaley810@yahoo.com) if you’d like.
Much Love, Amy Gage
I was stunned when I read about your mothers passing. She is now in heaven with your father. Your Mom and your Dad gave us so many wonderful memories. It is so sad we could not share some of these memories with all of you. My prayers are with you. May God keep you safe as you travel to your homes. Please keep in touch.
Love you all. Judy Peterman
Oh, Mary Lou. I will never forget how you greeted me at the airport in Nashville last October. Aren’ the rest of us seven so thankful to have spent such a great time together.
Words are difficult to express what a devote Christian example you set for all of us. May you Rest In Peace, my friend.