Mary Lou Pisanelli

Mary Lou (McEntee) Pisanelli of Avon, OH, previously of Sheffield Lake, Ohio, passed away peacefully on June 26th at the age of 86 in the caring and compassionate community of Avon Oaks. She was born in Wadsworth, Ohio on March 28, 1937 to Stephen and Lillian McEntee.
Mary Lou is survived by her eight children: Chris (Dawn), Mike (Lori), Patrick (Christine), Mary Marin, Laura Dillon, Ann Csongei (Dave), Amy Eldridge (Paul), and Jonathan (Rachael). She was the beloved grandmother to 17 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister, Betty Gairing and sister-in-law, Sue Pisanelli, and many nieces and nephews.
Mary Lou was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Ralph, her parents, brothers Dick and Jerry McEntee, brothers-in-law Walter Gairing, Julius Pisanelli, Mario Pisanelli, sisters-in-law Katie Goda, Pat Ulichney, Rita Kaminski, and Pat Pisanelli, and son-in-law Rick Dillon.
Mary Lou was a member of the Wadsworth H.S. Class of 1955. She attended Kent State University where she was a member of Chi Omega sorority and graduated with a teaching certificate.
All of those facts can't begin to sum up the person that she was. Mary Lou was an extraordinary woman; brilliant and beautiful, charming and funny, creative and talented, compassionate and kind. She didn't do anything half-heartedly. She excelled academically and became a teacher, had 8 children and built a beautiful home. An incredible seamstress, she sewed impeccable clothing for the entire family, then later applied those skills to quilting. Her cooking could win awards, though she was always much too modest about the results. When she entertained, as she often did, the banquet was a sight to behold. With a keen sense of style, she dressed with great flair and her home was as inviting as it was beautiful... And she made it all look effortless.
Mary Lou was admired for all these things, but her most shining quality was her kind heart and her greatest strength was being a mom and a grandma. She loved with a heart so big, you never doubted her devotion. Always supportive and encouraging, she dispensed sage advice and expert guidance. She was always teaching, in her words and in her actions. She always did the right thing. She and Ralph led by example and instilled in their children and grandchildren a sense of integrity, hard work, and commitment to family.
As their children grew older, and at the behest of Mary Lou's beloved uncle, Russell Norris, she began her role as an entrepreneur, opening her store, Mary Louise Interiors, applying her design skills professionally. As with all of her endeavors, she was magnificent. Her business grew as did her reputation as a designer, and her work was often featured in the annual Northeast Ohio Tour of Homes. Her work was supported by her devoted husband, Ralph, and with his help, she ran a thriving business for many years. In reflecting on this period in her life, she said that she wanted to show (her daughters) what women are capable of. More than anything else, she was proud of her family. Her home was ever welcoming to family and friends, and was perpetually filled with laughter and love. We feel blessed to have had so many years together, sharing good times and making memories. She was an amazing mother. She gave her children roots and she gave them wings.
She is together again with her beloved husband, Ralph, and though our hearts are broken, her legacy remains.
Those whose lives were touched by Mary Lou are encouraged to call at the Busch Funeral Home, 163 Avon Belden Rd, Avon Lake, on Thursday, July 6th from 4-7 p.m. Funeral on Friday, July 7th, beginning with prayers at Busch Funeral Home at 9:15 a.m. followed by a Mass of Christian burial at Holy Trinity Church, 33601 Detroit Rd., Avon. Interment at St. Joseph's Cemetery in Avon.