Mary L. Reifsnyder (1927 – 2022)
Mary Lou Reifsnyder, 95, passed away peacefully on August 24, 2022, at Heathwood Assisted Living in Penfield.
Mary Lou was born on January 25, 1927, in Bronxville, New York, daughter of Hans P. Greisen and Mary Cormier Greisen. The eldest of three children, Mary Lou and her siblings, Peter and Claire, had a wonderful childhood and cherished time spent together over the years.
Mary Lou attended Academy of Our Lady of Good Counsel High School in White Plains, graduating in 1945. From there she attended Drexel Institute of Technology, now known as Drexel University, graduating in 1949 and earning a Bachelor of Science in Home Economics. At Drexel she met the man she would marry and build a life with, Robert (Bob) Reifsnyder. Mary Lou and Bob married on September 24, 1949. Married for 55 years, they were blessed with 7 children, 11 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren.
Mary Lou was devoted to her children and her family. She was a leader of both Cub Scouts and Girl Scouts. She happily ran the family “taxicab” for whomever needed to go somewhere (she loved to drive). She also graciously hosted several exchange students through the years, adding to the already impressive number of children in the house. Mary Lou was always busy. She loved going to the beach and swimming in the ocean, ice skating, line dancing, sewing and knitting,
Mary Lou was never happier than when her kids and grandkids were with her, hosting family birthday parties, taking her grandchildren to the annual Gingerbread House display at the George Eastman House or visiting Boldt Castle in the Thousand Islands. She also loved to take them to the Erie Canal locks in Pittsford and to have picnic lunches together. She taught her grandchildren to appreciate the arts, and often took them to local theater productions and museums. The Nutcracker was a favorite.
Mary Lou loved family gatherings, and having her family together was an important part of her life. She did not love all the cooking for these occasions, but cherished being among family. She never missed attending extended family Thanksgivings in NYC or Philadelphia.
Mary Lou was devoted to her faith and was an active member of her church, St. John of Rochester, in Fairport. She rarely missed a weekly mass and at times would even go daily. She was the Director of Religious Education for many years, and also taught and oversaw the Confirmation program. Mary Lou attended Right to Life marches in Washington, D.C., was a part of the prayer chain, and rarely missed her holy hour of adoration- every single Wednesday from 12 to 1. Her husband, Bob, lovingly referred to her as “The Flying Nun”. Her faith was her anchor, and she had many lifelong friends from St. John of Rochester.
A storyteller at heart, Mary Lou could recall the details of all the special occasions in her life, including the arrival of each of her children, weddings, graduations and family trips, and loved telling these stories to her kids and grandkids at family gatherings. She had a writing career that developed when she was in her early 80’s, evolving from a senior writing class. She had since authored/co-authored 3 books!
She belonged to TOPS (Take off Pounds Sensibly) for 40 years. She loved her TOPS family and established wonderful friendships with many of the members, taking trips with them for regional and national conventions. She loved to travel.
Mary Lou was quick-witted and had an infectious sense of humor. Her children could make her laugh to a point of crying. She truly found and brought joy wherever she went. She will be missed as the matriarch of our family, the mom we all so dearly loved, the grandma and great grandma that always had a smile and a hug for everyone.
Mary Lou is predeceased by her husband, Bob, her brother, Peter, and sister, Claire. She is survived by her children, Joan, of Florence, Italy, Paul (Judy), of Waleska, GA, Anne (Bill), of Somerset, NJ, Mark (Kathy), of Fairport, David, of Simi Valley, CA, Robert (Cindy), of Farmington, and Jeanne, of Monroe, NC. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Jason, Jessica, Lindsay, Lisa, Liam, Ben, Sam, Austin, Katy, Nick and Sarah, 6 great grandchildren, her sister-in-law, Christina Greisen, several nieces, nephews, cousins, and many close friends.
Friends may call at Richard H. Keenan Funeral Home, 7501 Pittsford-Palmyra Road, Fairport, NY 14450, on Tuesday, August 30, 2022, from 4:00-6:00pm. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, August 31, 2022, at 10:00am at St. John of Rochester Church, 8 Wickford Way, Fairport, NY 14450. In lieu of flowers the family asks that those wishing to do so consider a donation to Advent House in Fairport.
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Comments
7 responses to “Reifsnyder, Mary L.”
I enjoyed mary Lou’s company each week as we grocery shopped. I loved hearing her family stories.. it was a joy to spend time with her. So sorry for for your loss.
I met Mary Lou through writing. She was a member of a memoir writing class which I taught. She was so special with her sense of humor, fierce loyalty to the Catholic church and her parish St. John of Rochester. She loved her family and all her interactions with them. It was a pleasure to know her and to call her “friend.” May she rest in peace.
My husband, Keith Payne, met Mary Lou first….years ago, in the 1970’s and 80’s, in different town and school meetings. He always greatly respected her and the way she would speak calmly and articulately at these meetings. When Keith and I became members of St John of Rochester Church in 2005, I was blessed to know Mary Lou also. Everyone is aware of her kindness and consideration for others, and her wit and way with words, and of course, her quick mind. As recently as 3 years ago, Mary Lou explained in easily understood detail the differences between leasing or buying a car and the advantages and disadvantages of either method, especially for us “seniors”. And last August, at age 94, dear Mary Lou blessed me and my family by making the difficult and extra effort to come to Keith’s calling hours at Keenan’s. I am so grateful to have known this lovely lady.
My “other Mother” as a kid, I will always remember her kindness, laughing often, incredible high energy and her positive attitude, all the time! Wonderful memories of her friendship with our Mother, trips to the A&P in the yellow Pontiac station wagon, Old Mill Lane and summer visits to Rochester. One of the strongest most incredible women I have ever had the pleasure to know and will never forget. My whole family loved MaryLou very much.
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I loved MaryLou. She had a lot of love to give. She was a second Mom to our family in Tappan, NY. She and my Mom were great friends. MaryLou was the cooler, more hip of the two. The radio in the black and yellow Pontiac that she drove a gaggle of us kids around in was tuned to WABC, Uncle Brucey. If something was really good, MaryLou called it BOSS! Her sense of humor, her energy, her positive attitude and love of the arts imprinted on me. She will never be forgotten.
We had the pleasure of knowing Mary Lou at St. John of Rochester for a few years. Such a kind, dear, sweet woman with a friendly smile. A gentle soul whose presence was always one of comfort and peace. RIP dear sister.
I had the privilege of serving on several committees with Mary Lou. She was a dear sweet lady and always a pleasure to be with. She will be missed. May God bless –