Mary Lou Vandermoere, a beacon of kindness and joy, passed away peacefully November 19th, 2024, in Lansing, Michigan, at the age of 86. Born July 1st, 1938, in Grand Ledge, Michigan, Mary Lou lived a life of integrity marked by love, laughter, and unwavering faith.

Preceded in death by her husband R. Edwin VanderMoere, parents Clyde and Nellie Waldo, sisters Dawn and Bethany, brothers Jack and Forrest, Mary Lou is survived by her children Lynda (Rick) Drullinger, Brad VanderMoere, Laura (Jim) Coyne, Brian (Nicole) Vandermoere.Grandchildren Jessica (Ryan) Carpenter, Joshua Drullinger, Jaclyn Drullinger. Step-grandchildren Chandler Weatherby, Madison Weatherby and great-grandson Braedon Drullinger.

After dedicating many years of compassionate service to the St. Lawrence Geriatric Center, Mary Lou retired in 2002. After retirement she found joy in being involved with her church, St. David’s Episcopal Church, where she volunteered countless hours serving our Lord. Her faith-filled life was an inspiration to all who knew her, and her actions reflected the love she had for the Lord Jesus Christ.

Mary Lou was a loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, who cherished her children more than anything else. As a loyal and life-long friend to many, some of Mary Lou’s weekly routines included playing Mahjong on Tuesdays, enjoying card games on Thursdays, and having lunch with her high school classmates monthly. She had a special talent for Scrabble, delightfully bending the rules by creating her own words. Never meeting a stranger, Mary Lou enjoyed socializing, cooking, traveling, casinos; she always found joy in whatever she was doing.

In her passing, Mary Lou leaves behind a legacy of strength, determination, love for life, laughter and happy memories. In her words, “my greatest achievement is being a mother.” Never one to succumb to negativity or life’s hardships, she always took the high road, laying a strong foundation, reminding us regularly that “it’s a good life if you don’t weaken.”

A memorial service will be held Monday, December 2nd, 2024, at 11:00am at St. David’s Episcopal Church, 1519 Elmwood Rd., Lansing, MI, with Rev. Joseph Kennedy officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. Mary Lou requested in lieu of flowers to kindly make your contribution to St. David’s Episcopal Church.