Mary Lou Conley

Mary Lou Conley (Gannitello), a loving mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend, passed away on April 26, 2020, after a prolonged illness of Parkinsons; she was 77 years old. Mary Lou is survived by her four children and their spouses: Deborah and Scott Ennis, Dawn and Christopher Noble, Carol Ann and Kevin Betts, Francis and Deborah Conley IV, and by her eight grandchildren: Meaghan, Nicole, Karli, Jake, Tessa, Francis V, Riley, and Brynn. She shared a lifetime of memories with her siblings and their spouses: Beatrice and Maurice (d) DeGrassie, Damon and Carmine Gannitello, Sandra (d) and Hugh (d) Whittemore, Patricia Loffredo, Suzanne Barczak (d), Janice and Courtney Dicely; and her sisters-in-law and their spouses Carol (d) and Myron (d) Lipnik, and Terry and Thomas (d) McLaren. Mary Lou was born on May 27, 1942 to Mary (d) and Peter (d) Gannitello, in Paterson, NJ. She graduated from Eastside High School, earning a degree in Home Economics. In her youth she participating in Girl Scouts, cheerleading and student council. She enjoyed the neighborhood CYO socials and attended church regularly. She was very proud to be named "Most School Spirited" of her graduating class of 1959. Mary Lou married Frank Conley III, in 1963 and by 1972 they had their family of four children and were living in Butler, NJ; a town she would call her home for 41 years. Mary Lou was quite involved in the activities of her home town. She was an active member of the Butler PTA for many years, holding the President position for several of those years, and was awarded the Life Member Certificate in 1992. She was a Girl Scout leader and was very proud of her Troop, #126. She ran for the position of Councilwoman in Butler, circa 1985, and lost by 1 vote. Although she lost, she was quite proud of the fact that she ran. Mary Lou was a devout Catholic and became not only a member of St. Anthony of Padua Church in Butler, but also a Eucharistic Minister. All of her children attended CCD and made all of their sacraments at this church; something she was quite proud of. Mary Lou loved to sew. Just ask her children, who wore the many matching outfits that she made and who never once donned a store bought Halloween costume. To many, she is still remembered as "Tweety Bird." She made that costume around 1982, and wore it to many a Halloween party at Richard Butler and Aaron Decker schools, where she worked as a Teachers Aide for 25 years. Those who knew Mary Lou knew her enthusiasm for life. She created many special friendships and kept her friends close to her heart for many years. One such group was her "Butler Girls." They enjoyed bowling at Butler Bowl, sunbathing at Stony Brook, competing in their monthly Scrabble Club, and gathering at her home on Carey Avenue for her annual Christmas party. Just ask any one of those ladies how she decorated for Christmas. They would tell you that it put the North Pole to shame. She went out of her way to make every holiday and event extra special. To her kids, it wouldnt be their birthday without waking up to a series of four signs, each with a portion of the Birthday song written on it. The last one hanging on the refrigerator. As they got older and moved away she would call them; not only on their birthday, but at the exact hour and minute they were born! Of all the things Mary Lou loved to do, dancing topped that list, and she was very good at it. Whether it was at a wedding, graduation party, or in her kitchen, she was dancing. Oh, and singing. Her children could often hear her stereo, playing quite loudly, as they turned the corner walking home from school and her, just as loudly, singing along while housecleaning. Funny now, embarrassing then. She attended every wedding, shower, birthday party, etc. that she was invited to and was often the last to leave. Not only to enjoy every last minute with family and friends, but to help clean up. She lent a hand wherever it was needed. She was also known for her love of hats. Long after it went out of fashion she continued to wear hats and she always looked stylish doing it. She leaves behind over 30 hats for various occasions. Mary Lou was absolute in her dedication and love of her children. Everyone knew this about her. You couldnt not know it, even if you just met her. She attended every sporting event, dance recital, graduation, competition, grandchilds birth and milestone they had. She bought matching Christmas pajamas for her kids well into their 20s; then continued the tradition with her grandchildren. When she was 65 years old she drove to MA to watch her first born grandchild get on the bus for her first day of Kindergarten. Of all the titles she held, "Mom" was the one she was most proud of. Mary Lou loved her family and friends deeply. They enriched her life beyond measure and if you ask any one of them they would tell you that she enriched theirs as well.