Mary Lou Reynolds, for decades a familiar face working in local libraries, first at Wood County Public Library and later the main library of BGSU, where her spirit of goodwill was felt by the scores of students she helped supervise-some of whom never lost touch-and the many others whom she gave her time along the way, died Sunday in Wayne, in the home where she had lived for 70 years. She was 88.
A child of the Great-Depression, Mary Lou was born to Kenneth and Elsie (Meek) Aurand in Toledo on April 23, 1931. A happy early life was, as it was for many who lived through America’s age of darkness, stilled by extraordinary loss. Christmas came in 1942 without her father, whom a rare blood disorder stole away just days before. Her mother was dead six months later, from complications of a toboggan accident in which the sled carrying her went astray and found a tree, leaving Mary Lou, at the age of 12, an orphan, along with her sister, Maxine.
The two sisters lived for a time with their grandparents in Columbus. Eventually returning to northwest Ohio, Mary Lou finished high school living with her grandparents on her father’s side, and graduated from Portage Township in 1949.
That same year she married Charles Reynolds, with whom she had three children during a marriage of almost four decades. A basketball coach’s wife, she was beloved by her husband’s players, especially those on his early teams in the 1950’s and ‘60’s at the former Westwood High School, who still adored seeing her after all these years. She and Charles divorced in 1988 and she never remarried.
Her work in libraries began in 1976, as a staff member at Wood County Public Library. She worked there for 10 years, before embarking on a career in government documents at BGSU’s Jerome Library that spanned nearly the quarter of a century.
She never lost the stiff upper lip worn since she was young, and that stoic nature and will to carry on served her well throughout a life that in later years included not only a full time job but also farming and raising a barn full of market lambs on her own. Animals were a love of hers, having once even owned a horse named Kim. An avid supporter of the Wood County Fair, she enjoyed watching her grandchildren show their 4-H projects and served for years as a sponsor of the greased pig contest.
A woman of faith, she attended Christ’s Church in Bowling Green, and for the last several years volunteered at Mount Zion Church in Wayne with the group that served senior dinners.
She was a traveler, with Mexico, Hawaii and Alaska among her favorite places to have explored. A skilled seamstress and maker of quilts, she also performed on stage, appearing in many productions of Dayspring Assembly of God’s celebrated play “The Gospel According To Scrooge”, and was in her youth fond of singing.
But watching her children grow and raise families of their own was her proudest achievement. She was a loyal presence behind her son’s bench, always in a bright sweater of whatever color the basketball teams he coached wore, and found joy in traveling as far and wide as the activities of her grandchildren and great grandchildren took her.
She is survived by her daughters Vicky (Russ) Griggs of Swanton, Ohio, and Linda (David) Gross of Cygnet, Ohio, as well as by her son Douglas (Debbie) Reynolds of Portage, Ohio.
Also surviving are grandchildren Michelle (Naf) Visser, Jennifer (Matt) Reynolds, Christopher Gross, Brittany Gross, Diondra (Dave) Steckel, Danielle Reynolds, and Dustin Reynolds, and six great grandchildren.
Her sister, Maxine Hanjora, preceded her in death.
Friends will be received from 4-7 PM on Tuesday, October 29, 2019 at Barndt Funeral Home in Wayne, Ohio, where a Celebration of Life Service will be held on Wednesday, October 30, 2019 at 11 AM with Pastor Doug McKinney officiating. Burial will be at Mt. Zion Cemetery near Wayne. Memorial contributions may be given in her memory to the Elmwood Basketball program or to Mount Zion Church in support of their senior dinners. On-line condolences may be sent to Mary Lou’s family at www.barndtfuneralhome.org.
