MARY LOUISE ALLEN LAMB
March 19, 1919 – February 26, 2019

Loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, MaryLou Lamb passed away peacefully on February 26, 2019, twenty-one days shy of her 100th birthday.

Born and raised in Erie, Pennsylvania, MaryLou lived nearly her entire life in the Cleveland area. Oldest of the four children born to Marion Nason Allen and Heber Edward Allen, MaryLou spent her years growing up in Lakewood along with her siblings, the late Elizabeth Allen Heath, the late Nason Edward Allen, and the late David Roger Allen.

MaryLou attended and graduated from Lakewood High School in 1937, which is where she met her sweetheart, future husband and life companion Douglas Booth Lamb. She attended Allegheny College 1937-1939, studying Pre-Nursing. On March 22, 1941, she and Doug married. Their first child Linda Lou was born while Doug was away serving his country in the US Navy. MaryLou and Doug were blessed with three more children: sons Douglas Booth Junior, Allen James and David Edward. With MaryLou’s adventure some spirit and the support of Doug, the family moved from suburban Lakewood to a beautiful century home on Bagley Road in Olmsted Falls.

During the important years of raising her family, MaryLou volunteered as a special education teacher at the Memphis School and enjoyed golfing with her friends. Being the intellectually curious person she was, she also enrolled at Baldwin Wallace College receiving a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Religion and Humanities (1971).

Once their children had grown, MaryLou and Doug were able to experience and explore new life adventures. As ten grandchildren grew up around them, they happily attended school functions, sporting events, concerts and family gatherings. Travel opportunities exploring parts of Colorado, Arizona and many of our National Parks became an annual excursion for them. Often this traveling included the discovery of fascinating new golf courses.

MaryLou was always a tireless advocate for people with disabilities. Her calling to Christian service inspired her to attend The Ashland Theological Seminary, where she was awarded the Master Of Divinity Degree (1985). MaryLou was a Pastoral Disability Specialist at the Outreach Ministry of the Catholic Dioceses of Ohio. Previous to that she was a Program Coordinator and Director of The Task Force for Persons with Disabilities for the Lutheran Metropolitan Ministry.

Among her many honors and citations, she received the Cuyahoga County Award for Advocacy and New Programs in 1973 and the Governor’s Award for Outstanding Service in 1998. At the time of her death, MaryLou was Directer Emeritus on the Board of MAHO, (Maximum Accessible Housing of Ohio). She was one of the original founders of that organization in 1981 and received its 1974 inaugural Stephen P. Hansler Award. MaryLou is the author of “A Star and a Rainbow for Benji”, a children’s book inspired by two boys she knew through her work at the Outreach Ministry.

It is fitting that MaryLou’s final years included a joyful combination of faith, family, golf and service to others. Her lifelong love of golf, which she once had taught to visually impaired adults, led to her participation and advocacy for The Turn (originally Return to Golf). Staff members and fellow golfers testify to her enthusiasm and commitment. As in so many activities she pursued, MaryLou shone as a passionate, energetic role model. May her spirit remain as an inspiration to all those whose lives were touched by hers.

MaryLou was preceded in death by her loving husband on March 21, 2011. She is survived by daughter Linda Hirt and husband Geoffrey, son Doug Jr. and wife Linda, son Allen and wife Denise, son David and wife Karen. Grandchildren: Amy Jacobs and husband Cary, Brian Hirt and wife Jenny, Chris Lamb and wife Crystal, Jason Lamb and wife Kathy, Tyler Lamb and wife Krysta, Trey Lamb and wife Debbie, Nason Lamb, Carrie Neyers and husband Jamie, Sarah Lamb and fiancé Blake Testa, and Jesse Lamb. Great-grandchildren: Madalyn Lamb, Emma Jacobs, Braden Lamb, Ava Lamb, Andrew Lamb, Nathan Lamb, Allison Jacobs, Alexandra Hirt, Callen Lamb, Caroline Hirt, Xavier Lamb, Liam Neyers, Hayes Neyers and Wells Lamb.

A Memorial Service and Celebration of Life will be held on Thursday, March 7, 2019 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 27993 Detroit Road, Westlake, Ohio. There will be a private family grave side service in Madison, OH at a future date. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made in MaryLou’s honor to The Turn, 1 Golfview Lane, North Olmsted, Ohio, 44070, or to CLHSA/Doug and MaryLou Scholarship, 3870 Linden Road, Rocky River, Ohio 44116.

The Behm Family Funeral Home, is assisting the family with arrangements. Online obituary and guest book at www.behmfuneral.com