Mary Lou (Livingston) Stairs
Mary Lou Stairs, age 83, of Shelby, died Thursday morning, August 22, 2019 at the Crestwood Care Center in Shelby.
Mary Lou was born August 18, 1936 in Ashland, to faithful Christian parents, the late O. Hubert and Vivian Lucille (Rumph) Livingston. She grew up on a farm where her father was a butcher. In 1958 she met Jerry C. Stairs who would become her husband just a few months later on July 26, 1958. They celebrated 60 wonderful years of marriage together until his death on October 4, 2018.
Throughout her life, Mary Lou taught piano and organ lessons and played for the church each Sunday. Her talents resulted in her being requested to play for many weddings and special occasions. She loved to knit, make crafts, read, and camp with her family and friends. Mary Lou also enjoyed cooking and always canned food from her garden each summer and made jam. When her children were young, she was a PTO and band mother. Mary Lou had many friends throughout her life and always enjoyed attending class reunions with her Shelby High School Class of 1954. Her love for children always showed and she babysat for many years. It was the highlight of her day anytime her grandchildren or great grandchildren came to visit. Mary Lou was faithful to the Lord her entire life and always took her children to church. She was a member of the First Church of God in Shelby.
Survivors include 2 children: Michele (William) Vrabel and Daniel Stairs (Lynn Witherup) both of Shelby; 6 grandchildren: Eric Vrabel, Elizabeth Vrabel, Michael (Ashley) Vrabel, Christopher (Afina) Stairs, Kevin Stairs (Ami Ramsdell), Cassandra Stairs (Chris Dever); 9 great grandchildren and 3 step great grandchildren; a sister: Kay Newmeyer of Shelby; and a brother: Dr. David (Betty) Livingston of Norwalk. In addition to her parents and her husband, she was preceded in death by a son: Stephen Paul Stairs in 1979; a sister: Shirley Ann Livingston; and a granddaughter-in-law: Courtney Stairs.
Family and friends are welcome on Sunday, August 25, 2019 from 2-4 pm at the Penwell Turner Funeral Home, 168 West Main Street, Shelby, where funeral services will be held on Monday, August 26, 2019 at 10:30 am. Pastor Nate Hultz of Avenue Church, Ontario, will officiate the services and burial will follow in Crawford County Memory Gardens. Memorial contributions may be made to Shelby Helpline Ministries.
To share a memory or express a condolence, please visit: www.PenwellTurner.com
My deepest condolences to the entire Stairs family. Aunt Mary was always very special to me and our family. I will never forget what an honor it was to have her play piano at our wedding.
She will be forever missed, but rest assured, I know Dad and Jean Ann were waiting with open arms upon her arrival through Heaven’s gates.
Tim, Debbi, And Lee Newmeyer
Please accept my sympathy. Mary Lou was my classmate at SHS and was always so nice, with a beautiful smile on her lovely face. I loved talking with her at our class parties at the Senior Center. May she rest in peace in the arms of Our Lord and Savior. Elinor Spangler Kelly
Please accept my sympathy upon the death of your mother. She was my classmate at SHS and she was so sweet, always with a smile on her lovely face. I remember when you brought her to our parties at the Senior Center and I enjoyed visiting with her and you. May she rest in the arms of our loving God and Savior. Sincerely, Elinor Spangler Kelly
We are so very sorry to hear about Mary Lou’s death. She always had a pleasant smile and we had many conversations at our SHS Class of ’54 gatherings. Our sympathy to her family, Shirley (Ralston) Gerber