Mary Lou Ridenour Lorigan

March 6, 2016

Mary Lou Ridenour Lorigan passed away peacefully in her sleep Sunday, March 6th, in her winter home in Scottsdale, AZ surrounded by loving family. She was born an only child to William and Catherine (Hughes) Ridenour in Toledo. She graduated from St. Ursula Academy and attended the University of Toledo. Mary Lou married Joseph Nyers and together they raised 3 daughters during a wonderful 30 year marriage. Joe preceded her in death in 1991. She met Tim Lorigan, her soul mate and best friend and they were married in 1994. She was welcomed into a large loving extended family, with parents Edward and Phyllis Lorigan, and realized her dream of being in a big family. Having 7 siblings was a great sense of joy for her and they were very close. Tim passed away in 2014 and Mary Lou experienced a great loss. Among her favorite pastimes was spending time with her daughters and grandchildren; weekends spent at dance recitals, football, baseball and basketball games, and all of her grandchildren’s school events. During her last days, she repeated that surely Matt would take her out for lunch, all she had to do was ask. Ashley was her pride and joy, and only granddaughter. Brian's visits lit up her face and she loved that he is "such a sweet and handsome boy". She was especially proud of Jeffery's talent as a sportswriter at an Idaho newspaper, Timmy's baseball career and recent graduation from law school and Todd's musical talent and everything about Todd. They had a very special relationship. Facing another Ohio winter, in August of 2015 Mary Lou decided to spend the winter in Arizona to be near Matt, Ashley and Brian. She got immense joy from spending time at Robin and Phil's home and with their horses. She enjoyed feeding them and petting them every Sunday. One of the horses came to recognize her and would run over to the fence to be near her and stomp his hoof at the sight of her. Of course she loved that. Mary Lou was also an avid painter, and painted up until the day she passed away. She enjoyed sitting in the sun and painting pictures of her landscape. Mary Lou is survived by her daughters, Robin (Phillip), Mary Jo (Tim) and Laura (Ron); Grandchildren, Matt, Ashley, Brian, Timmy, Todd and Jeffery, as well as lifelong best friend, Kate Regan, whom she considered a sister. Mary Lou was thrilled to be welcoming four new grandchildren in-laws with 4 recent engagements: Matt to Alyssa Hayman, Ashley to Brian Bronsky, Timmy to Stephanie Jirasek, and Brian to Rebecca Newsom. She loved them as much as her grandkids and had picked out a yellow beaded dress to wear to the weddings. Mary Lou was very close to her cousins throughout her whole life. Kathleen Havnes, Richard Jackson, Tina Kislak and Howie Decker meant the world to her. The family would like to offer special thanks to Nelia Parkhouse, of Integrity Assisted Living in Phoenix. Nelia was a godsend and was loving and patient, and Mary Lou loved her and considered her family. Nelia never left Mary Lou's side and offered love and comfort 24/7. Friends are invited to visit after 12:00pm Friday at Ansberg-West Funeral Home, 3000 Sylvania Avenue where a memorial service will commence at 3:00pm. Memorial contributions may be made to the Cherry Street Mission or Companion Hospice, 1930 S. Alma School Rd A-105, Mesa, AZ 85210.