MARY LOUISE WAITE

WAITE MARY LOUISE
After an extended illness, Mary Louise Waite (nee Hale), age 81, of Butler, passed away peacefully among dear family and friends due to complications of pneumonia on January 5, 2012. She will be sadly missed by all her family and friends throughout the United Sates and all around the world. Born in Turtlecreek, PA (near Pittsburgh), she was the daughter of Stephen Hale and Mary Shaver. She graduated from Edgewood High School in 1948 and then attended Thiel College in Greenville, PA, until 1949. In 1949, she married Paul N. Waite who had served in the US Army and was then attending Allegheny College in Meadville, PA. After graduation at Allegheny, Paul obtained a Master's degree in business administration from the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. They then moved back to Pittsburgh where Mary Lou worked as a secretary before starting a family. From 1954 to 1964, Mary Lou and Paul became the parents of six daughters. In addition, Mary Lou worked side by side with her husband to get him started in the restaurant and real estate holdings business. After Paul died in 1981, Mary Lou continued in the restaurant and real estate investments that Paul had started along with a business partner, William Morrow, of La Quinta, CA, who also graduated from Allegheny. An avid golfer, Mary Lou was accepted for the first female full golf membership at the Butler, PA Country Club where she played for over 20 years. As a partner, she also helped found The Quarry golf course in La Quinta, CA, and a golf course in Branson, MO, as well as in Doonbeg, Ireland. Always interested in being a pilot, she started flying lessons in 1975 at Zelienople, PA airport and then proceeded to become an FAA CCertified Flight Instructor pilot. She taught flying for over 20 years as well as piloting many of her family and friends on flying trips and vacations, particularly to Hilton Head, SC, and Ocala, FL. As a member of the 99's Women Pilots Organization, started by Amelia Earhart, Mary Lou participated in many air races across the US and even into the Caribbean. A very experienced pilot, she flew several search and rescue missions for the Civil Air Patrol in Butler, PA. She was also on the Board of Trustees of Allegheny College as well as the National Council of Women in Aviation. In 1997, she was presented the Amelia Earhart Award for Pioneering Achievement, Demonstrated Courage, Unusual Talent, and Dedication to Thiel College. When her children were grouting up, Mary Lou and all the family spent most of their summers at Conneaut Lake, PA, where they swam, boated, sailed and water-skied. The family still maintains a summer cottage at Conneaut Lake that is enjoyed by the daughters' and grandchildren's families and friends. Passing on before Mary Lou were her mother and father as well as her only brother, William Hale. Mary Lou is survived by her husband, Leo Janssens, also a pilot, whom she married in 2001. Mary Lou and Leo traveled extensively around the US in their own airplane and have traveled to Europe several times for Leo's involvement in the Society of Experimental Test Pilot's conventions. Also surviving are her six daughters, Sandi Stupiansky (Nicholas) of Mayville, NY, Lesley Andrezjewski (Max) of Pittsburgh, Stephanie Vater (Daniel) of Wexford, PA, Paula Sandherr (James) of Cranberry Twp., PA, Aura Cavanaugh of Superior, CO, and Terry Bilecky (Jeffrey) of Superior, CO; Leo has a daughter, Joy Gerogakas (Chris) of Dayton, OH; son, John Janssens (Brigette) of Perrysburg, OH. Mary Lou is also survived by 21 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. One grandchild, Jacob Andrzejewski, passed away in 2006. During her lifetime, Mary Lou was also very involved in many charitable organizations and causes. She was a member of the Nixon United Methodist Church for over 30 years. Mary Lou always found time to volunteer for activities in the church and her flying organizations. A Memorial Service is being planned, it will be held at 11:00 a.m., Monday, January 9, at Nixon United Methodist Church with Luncheon to follow. Family will receive visitors on Sunday, January 8, from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. also at Nixon United Methodist Church. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Nixon United Methodist Church, 334 Airport Road, Butler, PA 16002. Contributions will be used for ministry to needy families as well as for other charitable works of the church. Contributions can also be made to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (in honor of her great-granddaughter, Amelia), the Lighthouse Foundation, or the Brother's Brother Foundation.
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