Marylou Pectol

Marylou "Louie" Pectol to one and all, was born and spent her early years in the Fort Hunt area of Fairfax County, Virginia. She first began her collegiate studies Radford College then transferred in 1966 to George Washington University, culminating with a master's degree in 1973. It was there in 1966 that she met and began assisting a struggling bridge player named Richard (Dick) Pectol. This relationship resulted in their marriage in December 1968 - a marriage that lasted more than 56 years (Dick still can't play bridge as good as she could). Following Dick's return from the Army, they spent the next 40 years in Annandale, VA prior to moving to St. Mary's County.

They had one daughter, Rachel Elizabeth, who with her husband Paul Denchfield, has rewarded them with three grandchildren - Russell, Patrick, and Paisley, who have made their lives filled with laughter, jokes, and happiness. Louie loved doing puzzles with her grandchildren and watching them grow.

Louie started working in 1965 and spent almost her entire career with the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), except for a short stint of 1969 when she moved Georgia to be with Dick where she worked with the Provost Marshall's Office at Ft. Benning. Louie often joked that her job at Ft. Benning primarily consisted of discarding speeding tickets she and Dick got for racing around the Ft. Benning Airfield. Louie's work with USGS began working as a part-time secretary, then working mostly in the Administrative Division where she diligently reviewed policy and legal opinions. She retired in 2010 with several awards including the Department of the Interior's Meritorious Service Award. It was there that she discovered her talent for working with financial numbers. She took this talent to volunteer organizations- beginning with providing support to PTAs at Rachel's schools, then blossoming when she moved to St. Mary's County in 2010, following her retirement. Her work included being an AARP Tax Aide for more than 10 years, Treasurer for the St. Mary's Woman's Club, and Treasurer for the St. Mary's County Friends of the Library (FOL).

Louie had several recreational enjoyments including sailing their sailboat PLEIADES, which they anchored at Cobb Island, Point Lookout, and ultimately at their house on Town Creek, which they used to enjoy Maryland waters with family and friends. Louie continued her bridge expertise, playing in several venues and made many friends along the way. She and Dick also enjoyed traveling, but as time went by, focusing on vacationing with their family at their properties in New Smyrna Beach, Florida, and Tucson, Arizona.

The family is planning a celebration of life for Louie in the near future. In lieu of flowers or other consolations, the family requests considering donations to several 501(c) (3)s in St. Mary's Country, including the St. Mary's Caring, County School's Shoes Program, Woman's Club, or FOL.