- Date Of Birth: January 25, 1930
- Date Of Death: October 12, 2022
- State: New Mexico
Mary Lou Ashwill, longtime Albuquerque resident, passed away peacefully in her sleep on October 12, 2022. Mary Lou was born January 25, 1930, in Chicago, Illinois to J. Daniel Sorenson and Beatrice Sorenson Bridgeman.
From Chicago, Mary Lou moved with her family to Boston, then Westport, Maine where she graduated valedictorian from Westbrook High School in 1947. From Maine the family moved west to Eugene, Oregon where Mary Lou attended the University of Oregon. There she met the love of her life, Walter R. Ashwill, who had returned from serving in WWII and also was a student at the U of O.
After marriage, Mary Lou and Walter moved with their blooming family to Idaho, Arizona, and eventually New Mexico. Mary Lou received a Bachelor of Science degree in Secondary Math Education from UNM in 1981.
Mary Lou’s children remember her lifelong love of family, music, fashion, decorating, investing, bridge, and math. She served as an organist for Grants United Methodist Church in the 1960’s and upon moving to Albuquerque became a long-standing member of St. John’s United Methodist Church. At St. John’s, Mary Lou worked on financial committees and was in the United Methodist Women’s group, Naomi Circle, and provided piano accompaniment for MAC (Music Activities for Children), and Joy Singer Choruses.
Mary Lou was a member of Petrol Club, Sigma Alpha Iota, PEO Chapter AA, many bridge clubs and an investment group.
Her generosity, strength, unique sense of humor, and wonderful cooking will be sorely missed.
Mary Lou is preceded in death by Walter; her brothers Rexford Sorenson, and Phillip Sorenson; and grandson Benjamin Ashwill. She is survived by children Tom Ashwill (Donna), Kathy Tipton (Scott), Carol Hermes (Robb), and Patricia Livingston (Eddie); grandchildren Brandi Clark (Jim), Tammy Bateson, Anna Hermes (Alex Zowin), Claire Vendetti (Greg), Daniel Livingston, Josh Livingston, and Sara Livingston. She is also survived by nine great grandchildren: Ava, Addi, Brody, Colby, Brice, Drew, Chase, Garett, and little baby June; as well as many nieces and nephews.
