Mary Lou Szydlowski

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Mary Lou Szydlowski on December 2, 2025, after a short battle with ALS. Mary Lou, 77, was born on December 15, 1947, in Vernon, Texas to Theodore and Maizie Hawley, and was the younger sister to Homer.

Mary Lou met her beloved husband of 57 years, Gregory Szydlowski, while serving in the Women’s Army Corps at Fort Hood, Texas. Mary Lou was known for the love, support, and caregiving she gave to her family and community. From serving as Cub Scout leader, exchange student host mom, member of the Elgin Area Women’s Connection (formerly Christian Women’s Club), and acting as past President of the Bartlett Women’s Club, Mary Lou was always actively serving the Bartlett, Illinoiscommunity where she and Greg raised their family. A devoted Christian, Mary Lou served the Lord as choir member, volunteer, participant in Bible Studies, member of Sarah’s Circle at Roselle United Methodist Church, and had a deep friendshipwith her Christian sister. Mary Lou centered her life in service to the Lord.

In addition to her volunteer work, Mary Lou valued and loved spending time with friends and family. She regularly traveled back to Texas for her Oklaunion school reunions and visits with her many cousins. She was the person to beat at Christmastime Five Crowns games with family, and a shark when she played Samba with her friends. She was the historian of her family and loved to share stories about Greg’s and her family trees. A naturally creative person, Mary Lou enjoyed gardening, sewing, painting, and knitting. She made everything from costumes for Tefft Middle School plays, to intricate quilts, to play clothes for her grandchildren.

When Greg’s health required it, Mary Lou and Greg moved to The Villages, Florida, where they lived as snowbirds for the last 12 years. True to her nature of being able to walk into a room and start up a conversation with anyone, Mary Lou expanded her friend community through neighborhood garage parties, dinner parties, and sewing and game groups with her lady friends. She continued her church activities as part of Sarah’s Circle at Community UMC. Mary Lou looked forward each year to family and friends from the North coming to visit, taking trips to the town square, and exploring new restaurants. She enjoyed riding with Greg in the golf cart for daily visits to Starbucks andtaking the grandkids out for a spin. She also looked forward to celebrating Christmas with family, always making sure to wear her favorite color, red.

She is survived by her husband, Greg; sons Matthew (Sara) Szydlowski, Michael (Nicole) Szydlowski and daughter Mary Beth Szydlowski; and grandchildren Theo, Lydia, Ashleigh, Bradley and Peyton; sister-in-law Julia Szydlowski; and several loving nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Visitation Thursday December 18, 2025 from 3:00pm until 8:00pm at Countryside Funeral Homes and Crematory, 333 South Roselle Rd., Roselle. Funeral Services will be held at Roselle United Methodist Church 10:00am Friday December 19,2025. Burial will follow in Abraham Lincoln National Cemertery at 2:00pm. Info www.countrysidefuneralhomes.com or (630)529-5751. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make a donation to ALS United of Greater Chicago in Mary Lou’s name, https://alsunitedchicago.org/.