Mary Lou Martin

WINSLOW – Mary Lou Martin of Winslow was born on Sept. 28, 1951. She passed away on Sept. 26, 2024, at the age of 72, surrounded by loved ones after a long battle with breast cancer. The family would like to send a very special thank you to the Hospice House in Auburn for the extraordinary care they provided to Mary Lou and the support they gave to her family.

At a young age Mary Lou had a passion for hairdressing. While in high school she would do her own hair along with her friends. She attended cosmetology school after graduating from Waterville High School. She then went on to fulfill her lifelong profession as a beautician. She eventually owned her own beauty salon, Classic Cuts, in Winslow.

After working at the beauty salon, Mary Lou would always make sure there was a home cooked meal for her family before heading to Cindy’s School of Dance where she taught dancing with her sister Cynthia. Mary Lou and Cynthia started dancing as little girls with Miss Patsy. Miss Mary Lou and Miss Cindy passed on their passion for dance to many students throughout the years.

Mary Lou loved life and lived it to the fullest. She loved to share her bountiful experiences with her family and friends. Mary Lou and her husband Michael went to Aruba for the past 25 years. If you were lucky enough to visit them in their favorite place, she would have had a full itinerary planned. All you had to do was show up and she took care of the rest. She also loved her yearly trip to Las Vegas with her girlfriends where they would attend shows and gamble.

While Mary Lou’s health allowed, she loved to play golf. That transitioned to watching golf on TV on the weekends. She also organized many different football pools that kept her busy keeping up with weekly NFL scores. Mary Lou loved to play cards. Sitting down at the table with family after dinner and playing several card games was a Martin tradition. Gathering with their best friends on the weekend always included card games. Later in life she learned to play the game of Mahjong and played with her lady friends weekly. Her best friend and sister Marie was a huge part of Mary Lou’s life and shared in many of her hobbies and passions.

Mary Lou was outgoing and loved being around people. She hosted many gatherings and was the life of the party. Mary Lou and Michael’s home was always open to her son’s friends. There were swimming pool parties, billiard and card tournaments, and Friday night bonfires before a Saturday Winslow High School football game. They attended all Chad and Corey’s football games decked out in Orange and Black.

Mary Lou loved spoiling her four grandchildren and shared many experiences with them. As much as she loved her family and friends, she loved and spoiled her animals just as much. You were always greeted by a Yorkie or a cat when you entered their home.

Mom, thank you for your passion and the lifetime of memories. We look forward to the day when we will be reunited. Until then, we will with miss you and think of you often. Please Lord, hold Mom tight until we get to give her our next hug.

Mary Lou was predeceased by her mom, Loretta Desveaux; siblings, Joanna Wilbur, Ralph Paradis, Cynthia Crowell and Joyce Paradis. She is survived by her husband, Michael; their sons, Chad and Jennifer Martin, Corey and Emily Martin; her four grandkids, Sophia, Andrew, Sarah, Alex; and her sister Marie Paradis.

Visiting hours will take place on Monday Oct. 7, 2024, from 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. at Veilleux-Redington-Lawry Funeral Home 8 Elm Street Waterville, Maine. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Oct. 8, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. at Notre Dame Catholic Church on 116 Silver Street Waterville.

In lieu of flowers, the Martin family is asking for donations to Cynthia’s Challenge.

Donations can be made to:

P.O. Box 213

Eaton, NH 03830

Cynthia’s Challenge is named after Mary Lou’s special god-child and is a non-profit organization created to support children and their families faced with staggering expenses associated with special medical needs