Mary Lou Garza

Mary Lou Garza (Mason), 87, of St. Louis Missouri passed away Wednesday, October 19, 2022, at SSM Health DePaul Hospital in Bridgeton, Missouri, surrounded by the love and support of her family.  She was born on July 30, 1935, in Shattuc, Illinois and was the daughter of Murfin and Sarah Mason (Fulton).  She had five sons with her former husband, Christopher Michael Garza.  

Her family will always remember her sweet nature and cheerful disposition.  Her big smile, warm heart, and kind eyes drew people to her, and her warmth and compassion kept people close. 
 
Mary Lou grew up in Southern Illinois and where she embraced her, strong family roots and enjoyed sharing stories of her youth and spending time with her family. Her concern for others and willingness to care for the most vulnerable led her a life-long career in nursing.  After attending and graduating from St. John’s Mercy School of Nursing in St. Louis, Missouri she worked in a variety of roles, including in public health, and as a school nurse.  Realizing her ability to bring people together, she assumed nursing leadership roles, becoming a nursing supervisor at Des Peres Hospital in St. Louis Missouri, and later leadership role at HCA Englewood Hospital in Port Charlotte, FL.  Mary Lou eventually retired from nursing and moved back home to St. Louis to be closer to her family where she lived until her passing.
 
She will be dearly missed by her sons: Christopher and wife Deanna Garza of South Carolina, Charles Robert and wife Eileen Garza of Missouri, Dr. Alexander and wife Melissa Garza of Missouri, Jamieson and wife Dineen Garza of Missouri, and Andrew Garza of Missouri.  She will be forever missed by her sisters and brother, Donna Barnett of Texas, Bob and wife Gloria Mason of Illinois, Betty Mason of Illinois, and Patricia and husband Tom Boufford of Arizona.  Mary Lou had eight grandchildren and numerous extended family and friends that will be forever grateful to have had such a wonderful friend in their life.  

A celebration of life service will be at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, October 29, 2022, at the Day Macz Funeral Home in Sandoval, IL.  Interment will follow at Andereck-McClelland Cemetery.  Friends and relatives are welcome to a visitation time from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service.  Memorials may be made in Mary Lou’s honor to Andereck-McClelland Cemetery.  Online condolences and memories of Mary Lou may be shared with the family by visiting www.maczfunerlahomes.com and /or on the funeral home’s Facebook page.

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