Mary Louise Waitt

Mary Louise Waitt, loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, died January 30, 2018 at the age of 83. Her family takes solace in the thought that she has now joined the love of her life, her late husband Major Donald Francis Waitt, Ret. USAF.

Born on August 11, 1934 to Angelo and Margaret Sartori, Mary Lou and her sister Jerane Sartori Swanton grew up in Massachusetts.  Petite and vivacious, Mary Lou was working at a local hospital when she met a dashing, funny young Air Force pilot named Don Waitt.  During their whirlwind courtship, Mary Lou baked cookies and mailed them to Don where he was stationed in Texas.  Don mailed the box back to her, with an engagement ring inside.

After a wonderful wedding on September 5, 1955, they began an exciting, peripatetic lifestyle travelling the country, moving each time Don was stationed at a new Air Force base.  Along the way, in between living in states like Texas, Georgia, Mississippi, Massachusetts, Minnesota, and Louisiana, and international tours in Japan and Panama, Mary Lou birthed five children: Donald Waitt Jr., Deborah Waitt Heuser, Deirdre Waitt, Damon Waitt, and Desiree’ Waitt Pickert.

An enthusiastic volunteer at Church, Hospital Emergency Rooms, and her children’s’ schools, Mary Lou also worked in several fields in her career, including Dental Assistant, Deputy Clerk of Court, Retail Store Owner/Manager, and Administrator positions for Air Force Chaplains, Hospital Surgeons, Church, Printing Company, and Stock Brokerage Firm.

After the sudden loss of her husband at a young age, Mary Lou did an incredible job raising five children as a single mother.  Ensuring the home was filled with love, warmth, and humor, she also encouraged a strong work ethic, great values, and the importance of education.  She took great joy and pride in the adults her children grew up to be, including their many accomplishments, college degrees, careers, relationships, and families. 

A long-time lover of the ocean, Mary Lou moved to Florida 30 years ago to enjoy the beaches and sailing.  She loved dancing, socializing with friends, playing piano, singing, and having fun. 

She absolutely adored spending time with her children and their spouses, Debra Brown Waitt, Mark Heuser, Sara Waitt, and Lawrence (Jerry) Pickert II, as well as her 12 grandchildren: Tyler Waitt, Devyn Waitt, Ryan Heuser, Derek Heuser, Kyle Heuser, Taylor Mendoza, Colette Mendoza, Hannah Waitt, Rachel Waitt, Connor Pickert, Kelsey Pickert, and Gavin Pickert.  She was delighted with the recent additions of great grandchildren Gaius Heuser and Rumi Heuser.

Though she was quick to laugh, warm and loving, and always ready with a hug, Mary Lou had a fierce competitive streak with a “take no prisoners” approach to Skipbo and Cribbage.  Her children and grandchildren valiantly tried to best her at those games – and rarely succeeded.  She also loved Bridge, Uno, and Word Chums.

On February 17, 2018, Mary Lou will be honored by her family at a noon Mass at Espiritu Santo Catholic Church, 2405 Philippe Parkway, Safety Harbor, FL 34695.  She will then be laid to rest next to her late husband Don in Louisiana.  In lieu of flowers, her family asks that those who would like to remember Mary Lou, have a Mass said in her memory or make a donation in Mary Lou’s name to a charity of their choice. Notifications may be sent to Desiree’ Pickert, 1768 Krpan Drive, Roseville, CA 95747.

This bright, funny, warm, smart, amazing, loving woman will forever live in our hearts. 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Mary Louise Waitt, please visit our floral store.