Mary A. Wade

Mary Lou Ayoob Wade passed peacefully from this life on January 25, 2026, with her loving family by her side. Mary Lou was a woman of strong faith, deep caring, creativity, and ever-present determination.

Mary Lou’s passions were many. From her earliest days, she loved creating and enjoying art. “ML” worked for many years as a graphic designer at what is now Verizon. She moved up to that role after starting as a telephone operator and was, for a brief time, one of the company’s first female line workers. She was never afraid of hard work or a challenge.

Mary Lou also loved to bake and sew. Her family and friends were often grateful beneficiaries of her talents. She was a connoisseur of all things sweet, and nothing brought a bigger smile to her face than a good Pittsburgh wedding cookie table.

She was also a life-long learner. A proud graduate of the former Elizabeth Seton High School, Mary Lou went on to earn an associate’s degree from Community College of Allegheny County, a bachelor's degree from what is now LaRoche University, and a master’s degree from Duquesne University. She earned her degrees while working full time, getting married, buying a home, and starting a family. Later in life she went on to work part time as a seamstress and take classes in topics ranging from beekeeping to opera.

But what Mary Lou was most proud of was her roles as wife, mother, daughter, sister, aunt, cousin, niece, friend, neighbor, and church member.

Mary Lou was born to George Ayoob Sr. and Josephine Dudzinski Ayoob in 1954 as the youngest of four children. She grew up in Pittsburgh’s Brookline neighborhood relishing her Lebanese and Polish-Lithuanian heritage. After marriage, Mary Lou resided in Allison Park and Wexford. She and her family then lived for almost 20 years in suburban Richmond, VA, before coming back to Mt. Lebanon for retirement.

She was an active member in her home parish of Our Lady of Victory Maronite Catholic Church in Pittsburgh and her “adopted” home parish of St. Anthony Maronite Catholic Church in Glen Allen, VA.

She is survived by her devoted husband of 42 years, Chester “Chet” Wade; her adoring daughters, Lindsay Wade and Jordyn Wade; her brothers George Ayoob Jr. (Carla) and William Ayoob; her sister, Patricia Biondi (Richard); nieces, nephews, and many other family members; and dear friends.

Visitation will be Thursday, January 29, from 1-4 and 6-8 p.m. at the WILLIAM SLATER II FUNERAL SERVICE, 1650 Greentree Road, Scott Township, 412-563-2800. Service of Incense 7:30 PM, Thursday. A funeral of divine liturgy will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Friday, January 30, at Our Lady of Victory Maronite Catholic Church, 1000 Tropical Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15216. Interment will be at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation in Mary Lou’s name to Our Lady of Victory Maronite Catholic Church or a charity of their choice.

www.slaterfuneral.com