Mary Lou Naftzger

Mary Lou Naftzger née Ulrich
July 22, 1941 - October 15, 2025
Mary Lou was a thoughtful, devoted, warm-hearted mother, grandmother (Nana), daughter, sister, aunt, friend and dog mom. She will be greatly missed by many.
If you were fortunate enough to be Mary Lou's family member or friend, then you no doubt have fond memories of her kind ways, bright smile, keen sense of humor and wit, huge heart, as well as her willingness to help others. It is highly likely that you remember a special conversation that you had with her, a laugh that you shared or a time you drank a beer together. Not one to complain, she rarely uttered an unkind word and was never late to anything ever.
She was born to Anthony and Bernice Ulrich née Robinson on July 22, 1941 and grew up in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio. The middle sister of two athletic brothers (Ron and Tony), Mary Lou was an avid lover of sports (both playing and watching). As a young woman, she was a competitive kayaker (with medals to prove it) and had the opportunity to go to the Olympics. She would play any sport anywhere and could be found rolling on the floor playing with her adoring grandchildren into her 80s.
Mary Lou loved to read, sit in the sun, do yard work and take nature walks in all seasons especially with her faithful companion, Izzy. But she didn't shy away from hard work. Constantly on the go, she could be counted on to get the job done. Whether it was supporting Dr. Terry Davis in her day job at Columbus Children's Hospital or spending her weekends restoring and running the Downing House.
Her life's journey took her throughout Ohio with time well spent in Toledo, the Columbus area and then back up to the northeast part of the state. Along the way, she shared deep and lasting friendships with dear people such as Sally and Ed Lee, Ron and Linda Carpenter and kind-hearted Jeanne at Vista Springs. Honestly, there are too many to mention!
Mary Lou's children, Lisa and Brett, will be forever grateful to their mother for the loving home she created and the solid foundation for life that she gave them. As a single mom, she worked hard so that they would never go without. She set a high bar as an ideal parent who consistently showed unconditional love and acceptance. Her loving energy will live on in them as well as her five grandchildren and generations to come.
She is survived by daughter Lisa Hampton and husband Fred, son Brett Naftzger and wife Kimberly, five grandchildren: Faith, Evan, Sydney, Nico, and Ayla and brothers Ronald and Anthony Ulrich Jr and their families.
Family and friends will gather to honor and celebrate the life of Mary Lou Naftzger on Saturday, October 25, 2025. There will be an open visitation from 10am-noon at Ciriello & Carr Funeral Home located at 810 Portage Trail, Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio 44221.
Following the visitation, there will be a short graveside service at Northampton Cemetery located at 1014 West Bath Road, Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio 44223.
Flowers can be sent to the funeral home, or a donation can be made to the Alzheimer's Foundation to support face-to-face support, online education programs and worldwide research initiatives. https://donorservices.alz.org/page/FUNXAHXKQNEhttps://donorservices.alz.org/page/FUNXAHXKQNE
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