MARY LOUISE "MARY LOU" SHARPE

Mary Louise "Mary Lou" Sharpe, 75, of Solon Springs, passed away peacefully with her daughters by her side, Monday, Dec. 26, 2011, in the Solvay Hospice House in Duluth, after a lengthy illness.

She was born on March 29, 1936, in North Attleboro, Mass. She was the daughter of Nelson and Mary Brown. She married Russell J. Sharpe Sr., April 29, 1954, and they celebrated 54 years of marriage and raised five children.

Mary will be remembered and sadly missed as a mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She will also be remembered for her quick wit and sense of humor.

As an avid reader, she enjoyed reading her romance novels, history and biographies. She also enjoyed crocheting and knitting.

While she was in her home in Solon Springs, she enjoyed spending time with her family and enjoyed visits with many friends and relatives. Prior to the death of her husband, Mary and Russell enjoyed several years of winter vacations in Gulf Shores, Alabama.

In her working years, Mary held several positions in secretarial and also as a CNA in various health care facilities. Her primary role was as a homemaker for many years, raising her children.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Russell; her parents, Nelson and Mary Brown; four brothers, Fred, Albert, Robert and Thomas Brown; and two sisters, Eldora Svendsen and Leah Dunn.

Mary Lou is survived by her children, Robin (Joel Boyle) Sharpe of Spooner, Russell (Patricia) Sharpe Jr. of Hawthorne, and Rebecca Sharpe, Robert (Nancy DeBruyne) Sharpe and Richard (Audra) Sharpe, all of Superior; a brother, David Brown of Travares, Fla.; a sister, Ruth E. Hicks of Fort Gratiot, Mich. (Port Huron, Mich.); 10 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

Mary's family would like to thank the staff of the Solvay Hospice House for the attentive care, concern and special love during her last moments.

VISITATION: 10:30 until the 11 a.m. funeral service Thursday, Dec. 29, in the Lenroot-Maetzold Funeral Home. Pastor Sarah Kerkes of Our Savior's Lutheran Church, Superior, will officiate. Interment will be at the Evergreen Cemetery in Solon Springs.

Pallbearers for the service will be Russell, Robert and Richard Sharpe and Joel Boyle. Mary Lou's grandchildren will be recognized as honorary pallbearers.

Mary's family is requesting that in lieu of flowers, special donations be made to the Solvay Hospice House, 801 Baylis Street, Duluth, MN 55811.

To send a condolence or sign the on-line guest book, visit our website at www.lenroot-maetzold.com.

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