Mary Lou (Schnauber) Charles

   Mary Lou (Schnauber) Charles, 89, State College, Penn., formerly of Depauville, Poplar Ridge and Ithaca, passed away Wednesday, August 28, 2024, in Pennsylvania.

   Mary Lou was born in Depauville December 29, 1934, daughter of Vernet and Harriet (Robinson) Schnauber. She was a graduate of Clayton Central School and Syracuse University School of Nursing. She married John Robert "Jack" Charles on September 14, 1957 at Depauville Methodist Church with Rev. Frank Smith officiating.

   Mary Lou was a Registered Nurse, starting her nursing career as a public health nurse in Syracuse. She retired from Auburn Memorial Hospital in the spring of 1994 after 30 years of service to the hospital.

   She was a member of Poplar Ridge Friends Meeting, Poplar Ridge, NY, Red Hats Society, Moravia Community Theater, and was a Hospice Care organizer in Cayuga County. Mary Lou enjoyed watercolor painting, restoring the Jethro Wood House in Poplar Ridge, gardening, and walking through the woods. She also enjoyed making pies, singing, traveling, camping on Wellesley Island with family, sewing projects, and playing games, especially Scrabble. Mary Lou was a very creative, industrious, and giving person who was always thinking of ways to help and bring joy to others. She loved "getting acquainted" with everyone she met. 

   Along with her husband, Jack, Mary Lou is survived by her son, Peter (Lauren) Charles, Pittsford; two daughters, Sara (Tim) Seifert, Trumansburg and Jill (Juan Mario) Gomez, State College, PA; six grandchildren, Jacob and Noah Seifert, Hannah and Elena Gomez, and Megan and William Charles; one great grandchild, Inti Seifert; and 10 nieces, seven nephews, and several cousins. She was predeceased by her parents; two brothers, Medford and Robert Schnauber, and two sisters, Helen Klouzal and Barbara Hoops.

   Calling hours will be held at Cummings Funeral Service, Inc., Clayton on Sunday, September 8, from 6 - 8 PM. The graveside service will be in Depauville Cemetery on Monday, September 9, at 11:00 AM with a lunch to follow. A Celebration of Life will be held for Mary Lou at a later date. Online condolences to her family may be posted at www.cummingsfuneral.com. Donations in Mary Lou's name may be made to Depauville United Methodist Church, c/o Clayton United Methodist Church, 324 John St., Clayton, NY 13624 or to the Minna Anthony Common Nature Center, 44927 Cross Island Rd., Fineview, NY 13640.

   A celebration of Mary Lou Charles' life will be held at the Poplar Ridge Friendship meeting, 1868 Poplar Ridge Rd., Poplar Ridge, NY 13139 on Saturday, May 17, at 2:00 PM.

   A memorial service will be held at the Depauville United Methodist Church on Saturday, May 24, at 3:00 PM.

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