Mary Lou was born with Down’s Syndrome. She was much loved for her friendliness and volunteer work at the Cambria County Association for the Blind and Handicapped, where she worked most of her adult life. After grsduating from the Vinco Center for Exceptional Children at the age of 21, she worked for Goodwill before working for the blind association. Mary Lou was also active with the Camp PARC program for the developmentally disabled.