Lois Merle Mayol

1933 - 2022

Lois Merle Mayol
November 25, 1933 - September 6, 2022
Modesto, California - Lois Merle Mayol passed away peacefully surrounded by her family in Modesto, California on September 6, 2022.
Lois was born on November 25, 1933 in Martinez, California to Hugh and Vivian Amerine. She was raised in Martinez and attended Armstrong School of Business. There, she met Donald Joseph Mayol and shortly thereafter they were married (they were married for 64 years until Don's passing in 2017). They raised three children, John, James and Jennifer.
The family relocated several times before settling in Modesto, California, where Don pursued his career in the packaging business. Lois was always busy, raising the children, teaching Sunday School, stepping out as the first woman in pant suits at the PTA. She met new friends in Omega Nu, out of which came a Modesto Racquet Club Ski Group that traveled and skied together for many years!
Lois developed a keen interest in the arts. In Modesto, she served on the board of the McHenry Mansion and was a board member and President of the Modesto Symphony Orchestra Association for many years. She deeply enjoyed many book clubs forming lifelong friendships with her kindred spirits. Those interests continued when Don retired and they moved to Carmel, California. She became involved in new book clubs in Carmel, while continuing with her Modesto clubs. She became active in the Monterey Symphony, the Bach Festival and was a founding member of Youth Orchestra Salinas (YOSAL), that spread classical music to youth in many areas of the state.
Lois and Don's love of dogs led to their steadfast support of the Monterey SPCA. It was there that they adopted their latest canine love, the one and only three legged white fuzzball of happiness and loyal companion, Brie! Her passion for Brie and for books created a perfect time for book club preparation. Often on the couch, she had one hand on her book and one giving loving pets to Brie. Of course, she always found time for Brie and her own trips to the beauty parlor, always beautifully dressed for even the simplest occasion.
All who knew her knew that she held her friends, family and charitable causes close to her heart. She always did her best to maintain her friendships in both Modesto and Carmel. Of course, this kept her very busy, along with her persistence in building and decorating her homes. When she discovered the online world, she loved learning more and more about all of her pursuits, with shopping to match! Nonetheless she maintained long-standing tradition of clipping articles to send to friends and of course her children.
It was her infectious enthusiasm for the combination of all these things that created lifelong bonds and trusted relationships with all her friends, new and old. She viewed each as a gift. As one of her friends eloquently stated, "You were magical and greater than the sum of your parts….Your beautiful soul and spirit will forever be in our hearts."
The family would like to thank all of her friends for their love and support, while Lois transitioned to a better place. Many have speculated that she timed her passing so that she would be ready for tea with the Queen!
The family also thanks and is grateful for those who cared for Lois and helped her manage her active life and live with dignity at her home, as she desired! Those include Cynthia, Nurse Jen, Tony and Pat, Esmeralda, Christopher, Jeannie, and the Provident caregivers.
Lois was preceded in death by her husband Don. She is survived by Brie who, as Don and Lois planned, is now in the loving home of Tony and Pat. She is also survived by her sister Lila, her son John and wife Tami, granddaughter Taylor, husband Nick and soon to be great grandson expected in December 2022, grandson Trenton and wife Ivey and great granddaughter Merritt, her son Jim and wife Birgitt, grandson Joseph and his wife Meagan and soon to be great grandson expected in February 2023, her wonderful granddaughter Jackie, and her daughter Jennifer and life partner Michael.
Her family, friends and all who knew her will truly miss her. The family would be honored if in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to YOSAL, the Modesto and/or Monterey Symphony Orchestras, the Modesto and/or Monterey Salvation Armies, the Stanislaus and/or Monterey SPCAs, and/or The Bach Festival in Carmel.
On September 20, 2022 from 11 am to 1 pm, an Open House Celebration of Lois' Life will be held at Del Rio Country Club at 801 Stewart Road, Modesto, California.