Mary Lou Pauls

Mary Lou Getz Pauls; wife, mother, grandmother, sister, world traveler, lover of life, and Krab Killa, loved near and far by all who knew her. From her birth in Philadelphia, PA on December 2, 1931, to her death on March 1, 2019, she nurtured all with friendliness and her beautiful smile. Beloved wife of fifty-eight years to Robert J Pauls, Mary lived zestily on Chincoteague Island for the last thirty years. Survived by her six children, Michelle Pauls (Stan Heleva), Gretchen Prince (Jack), Kara Sorrentino (Nick), Adrienne Cooper (Dennis), Robert M Pauls, and Steven Pauls, (Alyssa) as well as brother, Reverend Msgr Robert Getz, sister, Bonnie D’Aulerio (Mike), sister in law, Barbara Gambril (Steve), Brother in law, Richard Pauls (Carol), thirteen grandchildren, countless cousins, nieces, nephews, and her beloved four legged friend, Leo.

Mary grew up in Yeadon, PA. The oldest of three, she liked “hanging around in a mixed group of girls and boys,” as well as ice skating on frozen ponds and playing with the doll house her father made for her by hand.

In high school she discovered her talent for basketball, once making a shot from half court on her back!

After graduating from high school she began her professional life as a secretary at General Electric. Mary then obtained her realtors license, taught herself upholstery and volunteered as a hospice worker among other diverse positions..

It was Mary Lou’s beauty and charisma that captured Robert J Pauls’ attention on their first date while with a group of friends in Sommer’s Point, NJ. After their marriage in St Louis Church in Yeadon, PA they lived in their first apartment in Drexel Hill, PA. With a growing family, they moved to Allentown, PA where Mary blossomed in the world of ministry. Her dedication to the church and her strong faith informed her work with migrant workers and as a Eucharistic Minister to the homebound. She tirelessly campaigned for peace and justice.

In “Retirement,” Mary and Bob moved to their beloved island of Chincoteague where her kindness and spirituality touched countless people in the church at St Andrews and all over the island. She unselfishly served with Freedom Hunters, 3Cs Club, and Just Us Singers – where she was ministering and singing to residents at a nursing home only a few weeks before her passing.

Ever the itinerant traveler, Mary explored her roots in Lithuania,in Egypt she rode a camel, she ziplined in Panama at the age of 83, and was appointed Taste Tester at the Jameson factory in Dublin.

At the end of the day, our Mary Lou, fashionista, Snapchat pro, muse for countless photos and video shoots, held in her heart all the people who had the good fortune to be in her orbit. What she would wish for anyone, after a kiss, a hug and a caressing beverage would be for you to, “Follow your dreams, believe that you can do anything, and take comfort in the embrace of Gods’ love that is free and available to all.”

Memorial Service will be held on Friday, March 8, 2019 at 10 AM at the Saint Andrew the Apostle Catholic Church on Chincoteague Island, VA with the Father Michael Imperial and Rev. Msgr Robert Getz officiating.

Flowers accepted or donations may be made to the Saint Andrew the Apostle Catholic Church 6319 Mumford Street Chincoteague Island, VA 23336. Services entrusted to Salyer Funeral Home, Inc. on Chincoteague Island, VA. Condolences may be made online at www.salyerfh.com.

Slainte!

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