Mary Louise was a dedicated member and a fixture of the Old Alabama Town Herb Society for approximately fifteen years. She contributed many ideas to the organization, served a term as secretary, chaired the Membership Committee for many years, as well as being a steadfast worker in the gardens. She was in charge of the Scent Garden for many years and being a lover of Roses she added many to the Garden. She reluctantly gave up chairing the Scent Garden to help us reestablish an Herb Garden at the Governor’s Mansion. She worked with Chef Jim Smith, the Chef at the Governor’s Mansion, to add culinary herbs for his use and persuaded him to present our herbal food demonstration at our 2013 Herb Day.

Mary Louise gave a lot to her community after retiring from a long and successful career as a social worker – her last professional position was Director of Social Work at Jackson Hospital. We also remember fondly that Mary Louise had a passion for Cajun Dance, a sight to behold. She volunteered with the international officers families and on occasion included her foreign friends in Herb Society activities. In addition to all this, she was a dedicated volunteer for Landmark events at Old Alabama Town.

Like the Roses she loved so much, Mary Louise could be prickly, and that, along with her humor we will sorely miss. Her dedication to the Old Alabama Town Herb Society will live long in our memories.

There will be a memorial Mass for Mary Louise on Thursday, April 14 at 6 p.m. at St. Bede’s Catholic Church, 3870 Atlanta Highway, followed by a reception in the Parish Hall.

Click here to link to her obituary in the Montgomery Advertiser.