Obituary of Mary Lou McGill

McGill

Mary Lou McGill passed away peacefully surrounded by her sons on December 2, 2023; she was 90 years old. Mary Lou was born in Philadelphia on October 5, 1933, to Edward Joseph Stafford and Louise [nee Hayden] Stafford. She graduated from Cecelian Academy in Mount Airy where she was a basketball cheerleader. At the same time, she was a talented pianist who played the part of Edvard Gregg in concerts with the Trenton Symphony Orchestra, directed by Giuliano Sabatini, and performed at Town Hall in Center City.

Mary Lou graduated from Chestnut Hill College in 1954, majoring in economics. She went on to work for the Western Savings Society in its tax department and soon met Frank McGill. They were married in 1957. She had five sons in the span of eight years: Francis (Esther), Edward (Lisa), Michael (Wade), Matthew (Romy), and Brendan (Jennifer). Frank and Mary Lou raised their sons in the Roxborough/Manayunk and West Mount Airy sections of Philadelphia. Summers were spent in Avalon, New Jersey. Frank and Mary Lou joined the Philadelphia Country Club ("PCC") in 1978, where she remained a member after her loving husband succumbed to a long battle with cancer in 1991. Frank and Mary Lou became daily communicants in 1980 which enriched their relationship with each other and the Lord. They would comment that it was a terrific way to start a day.

Following Frank's death, Mary Lou set up a development program for parents and graduates at Norwood-Fontbonne Academy in Chestnut Hill, where her sons had gone to grammar school. After three years, with the job completed, she retired. During retirement, Mary Lou liked playing golf at PCC for many years with the "ladies' nine holers". She also started to travel with friends and spent winters in Jupiter, Florida, which allowed her to play golf year-round and solve crossword puzzles while sitting by the pool.

Mary Lou was also on the Woman's Auxiliaries of Saint Edmond's Home for Children and the Saint Francis Home. In addition to her sons and daughters-in-law, she is survived by 11 grandchildren who nicknamed her "Manya".

The visitation will be Thursday, December 7, 2023, from 9AM to 11AM followed by the Mass of Christian Burial. Both will be held at St. John Vianney Church, 350 Conshohocken State Road, Gladwyne, Pennsylvania 19035.