Mary Lou Kear

1936 - 2021

Mary Lou Kear
07/30/2021
Mary Lou Kear, 85, formerly of East Stroudsburg, died Friday morning, July 30, 2021, while under hospice care at Home at Parkland in Schnecksville where she was a resident for the past three years. She was the widow of Thomas B. Kear with whom she shared 62 years of marriage at the time of his death on April 5, 2018.
Born on January 24, 1936 in Middletown, she was a daughter of the late Chester Sr. and Helen (Halfpapp) Sipe.
Mary Lou worked as a contract specialist administrator, after working her way up from a secretarial position, for the Tobyhanna Army Depot until her retirement. She received many awards of excellence for her skills and strong work ethic. Mary Lou had previously worked for other employers: Bensinger and Pentz; Fernwood Resort; Olmstead Air Force Base in Fort Monmouth, NJ; Fort Devens, MA; and Bell Telephone, with time off in between jobs devoted to raising a family.
She was an active member of the East Stroudsburg United Methodist Church in East Stroudsburg for over 45 years. Mary Lou was also a member of the East Stroudsburg University Faculty Wives Club and New Residents of the Pocono Mountains "Welcome Wagon".
Surviving are two children, Debbie Kear and wife Patty Reich of Allentown and Michael Kear and wife Sue of Mendham, NJ; a grandson, Ryan Kear of Mendham, NJ; brother Jack Sipe Sr and wife Lura (deceased) of Middletown; sister Louise Blount and husband Bernie of Elizabethtown; sister Joan Moore and husband Denny of St. Petersburg, FL; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by a sister Sandra Catalano and husband Tony Catalano of Houston, TX, a brother Chester "Pete" Sipe, Jr. of Middletown, and a brother Richard "Rick" Sipe of Middletown.
Mary Lou loved to spend time with her family and friends. Most friends and relatives have spent time at the Kear Mini Ranch enjoying the annual 4th of July sundaes, cookouts and swimming in the pool. No matter where Mary Lou lived, she could be always found outdoors, soaking up the sun. She was fiercely protective of her family, loved to travel, (favorite spots were Bora Bora, Tahiti, and Lake Louise in Banff), and she sewed a lot in her younger years often "whipping up" outfits for her family (and their toys) in a matter of hours.
Mary Lou also loved to garden and her backyard was the perfect oasis for the entire family to enjoy. The family has many, many happy memories of gathering in the backyard for lawn games, swimming, catching frogs, and the annual epic Easter egg hunt.
Even though Mary Lou had a long history of health issues, her "Superwoman" spirit, determination, and drive to live life to the fullest inspired many people!
Services will be held on Friday, August 6, from the William H. Clark Funeral Home, 1003 Main Street, Stroudsburg with viewing beginning at 2:00PM followed by the funeral service at 3:00PM with Rev. Samuel Kofi Ashley officiating. Private cremation will follow.
In lieu of flowers, memorial remembrances may be made to East Stroudsburg United Methodist Church, 83 South Courtland, East Stroudsburg, PA 18301.
William H. Clark Funeral Home
1003 Main Street Stroudsburg, PA 18360
www.wmhclarkfuneralhome.com