Obituary of Mary Lou Michaelson

Mary Lou Michaelson passed away on July 20th , 2009 after a long, courageous fight with lung cancer. She was born in Tacoma, Washington on July 8th , 1938 to Frank and Edna Charleson. She lived in the Tacoma area all her life and graduated from Aquinas in 1956. She worked at a variety of jobs throughout her life, but enjoyed working for Metro Parks at Point Defiance Zoo where she retired in 2003. She did a lot of volunteer work over the years beginning with tap dancing as a young girl with the USO for war soldiers. She did volunteer work with the Special Olympics, and the Blood Bank, among many other good causes. Mary Lou was a Master Gardener and loved gardening and taking care of her many plants and flowers. She also belonged to the Red Hat Society and enjoyed her many friends and the activities done with them. She had a great sense of humor, a warm smile for family, friends, and strangers. She loved her three pet cats. She loved her large frog collection. She loved chocolate…and ate it until the very end! Most of all, Mary Lou loved her family- especially her four kids, and four Grandchildren. She did her best to attend all the sports activities and other events of her kids and grandkids. From Soapbox Derby, Baseball, to Soccer, she was there to cheer them on and give support. She was a mom to many kids in the neighborhood when her kids were growing up. Mary Lou is survived by her sister, Joanne Renner (Al), her sons and daughter, Brent (Melinda), Steve, Paul, Julie (Dan), and 4 grandkids, Kristen, Brian, Ezra, and Olivia. Mary Lou was a sister, mother, grandmother, and friend, and will be greatly missed- but never forgotten. In lieu of flowers, please donate to your favorite charity. Rosary will be held Thursday July 30th at 7:00 PM at St. Leos Church in Tacoma. Services will be at St. Leos Church in Tacoma on July 31st at 12:10 PM.