Mary Lou Price

Marion Louise “Mary Lou” Price, 94, of Lake Forest, IL, passed away Dec. 19, 2020, at Glenbrook Hospital from complications of COVID-19.

She was born March 15, 1926 in Streator, IL to Charles and Rose Hamann.

She graduated from Streator High School and attended Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington, IL. where she studied music. She married her hometown sweetheart Dr. Alfred “Fred” J. Price on June 7, 1947, after he returned from serving in World War II. The couple were lifelong partners, with Fred passing away in May 2018 just one month before their 71st wedding anniversary.

Mary Lou and Fred had four children and over the years lived in Hampshire, Glen Ellyn, Wilmette and Lake Forest.  Once retired, the couple developed a passion for sailing and spent many summers traveling the Great Lakes on their sailboat, “M’Lou II.” Mary Lou took several sailing courses, and had a self-professed love for the lake, even though she never learned to swim.

Mary Lou was an exemplary cook and hostess. She loved entertaining family and friends, gathering for bridge club and hosting annual holiday parties. Her second passion was gardening, and she truly had a green thumb. She was a member of the Little Garden Club of Wilmette and volunteered at the Chicago Botanic Garden for many years. She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Lake Forest.

As her own children grew, she worked part time as a bookkeeper at the Hamilton Dress Shop in Wilmette, a position she loved.

Mary Lou is survived by her children Patti (Ken) West of Woodstock; Brad (Pam) Price of Cedarburg, Wis.; and Geoff (Stephanie) Price of Crystal Lake. She was greatly loved and will be missed by her eight grandchildren: Justin (Brittany) and Alex West; Amy Ann (AJ) Burton, Heather (Andrew) Erickson; and Jeremy, Trevor, Colin and Benjamin Price; and four great-grandchildren, Bodhi and Jett Burton, and Grayson and Parker West.

Mary Lou was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Fred; and her son Gregory in April 2019.

A private burial service will be held on Sunday, Dec. 27, in Ransom, IL. A memorial service will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Little Garden Club of Wilmette and the Chicago Botanic Garden in Glencoe.