Mary Lou Ebrite

Mary Lou (Stuber) Ebrite [1937 - 2023]
Born: July 31, 1937 in Mishawaka, Indiana
Died: November 23, 2023, Thanksgiving night, in Salinas, Calif. at age 86 years old
She is survived by: Her Daughter Karen Garduno and husband John and sons Matthew and Michael
And her daughter Julie Burbank and husband Stuart and daughter Taylor, and sons Logan and Nathaniel.
Mary Lou grew up in Mishawaka, Indiana. She met her husband Don Ebrite at Purdue University in Indiana, where she graduated with honors in Home Economics. They married in 1959 and for 8 years lived in various states when Don was in the Air Force. During those years their 3 daughters Kathy, Karen, and Julie were born. In 1969, Don finished his service with the U.S. Air Force and moved his family to California to begin his longtime career as a commercial airline pilot with Western Airlines and later Delta Airlines.
The family settled in Westminster, and in 1976 they moved to Villa Park, in Orange County,
California. Mom was very involved in 4-H, Church, Women's Bible Studies, and Home Ec Club activities.
She also enjoyed crafting, flowers, and trivia. Mom loved people, loved God, and loved her
family.
Mary Lou, Don, and the whole family enjoyed traveling the world, and they did! They loved
learning and experiencing different places and cultures; Karen and Julie have amazing
memories of all of their great adventures together.
Her oldest daughter, Kathy, died in 1988 at the age of 27 years, and her husband, Chris Pitkin, died
five years later; this was a real difficult time for the family. Mary Lou and Don also had great
joy and celebration in adding 'sons' to their family through marriages of their Karen to John
in 1988, and Julie to Stuart in 1997.
Don, her husband of just over 50 years. passed away in 2009, and in 2012, Mary Lou moved up
to Salinas (close to Julie), where she spent the last years of her life.
Mary Lou died peacefully the night of Thanksgiving after spending a joyous day surrounded by
her whole family, including both her daughters and all five grandchildren. Although her death
was unexpected, the special day shared was truly a blessing from God and a gift to the
family.
Mary Lou was a bright, shining person, optimistic and enthusiastic, and was always
encouraging others to learn and grow. She loved being involved in many things, as both a
leader and follower, and had a real desire to serve God. She had a deep love for others and
had her own special way of showing it. Mary Lou loved her family and friends and they loved
her.
On Thursday, November 30th, a graveside service for Mary Lou was held at the Santa Ana
Cemetery in Southern California; she was laid to rest next to Don, and nearby to Kathy.
A 'Celebration of Life' service to honor our Mom, Mary Lou, will take place after this holiday
season, and in 2024.
A Gift. We are extremely grateful for the gift that Mom had a personal relationship with Jesus
Christ. We are thankful for the gift of her life– our Mom and Grandma. We are blessed
beyond measure of the gift of Mom sharing Thanksgiving day with us– together with those
she loved dearly. A Gift of Love.