Mary Louise Swiderski, devout Catholic

Mary Louise Swiderski, 79, passed away Easter Sunday, March 31, 2024, at her home in Millsboro, surrounded by her family.

She was born on Feb. 8, 1945, in Olean, N.Y., to the late Louis E. Wilson and Lena Marinelli Wilson. She grew up in Wilmington and graduated from Mt. Pleasant High School in 1963.  After graduating from University of Delaware in 1965, she began working for Hercules Inc. Then she moved on to a 30-year-plus career with Alfred I. du Pont Hospital for Children as an orthopedic secretary.

In 1973, she married her husband of 51 years, Paul Swiderski, and together they raised two children.  After retiring, Mary Lou and Paul moved from Wilmington to Millsboro, where she enjoyed the simple things in life like hanging out with her neighbors, exercise classes at the legion, relaxing at the pool and watching Hallmark movies. She also enjoyed traveling to Disney and spending time with her grandchildren and granddogs. 

She was a devoted Catholic, wife, mother, and grandmother. Mary Lou was loved by family and friends, and will be greatly missed.

In addition to her parents, Mary Lou is preceded in death by her sister, Joan Wilson.

She is survived by her husband, Paul Swiderski; daughter, Dana McGovern; son, Chad Swiderski; her two grandchildren, James and Ashleigh McGovern; and her brothers, Ted Wilson and Michael Wilson.

In lieu of flowers, donations in honor of Mary Lou may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, fundraising.stjude.org/site/TR/Memorials/Memorials?px=8350693&pg=personal&fr_id=154020; and/or Brandywine Valley SPCA, bvspca.org/donate/honor-a-life.

A celebration of life will be held from 2 to 5 p.m., Friday, April 19, at Long Neck Shores Clubhouse, 32531 Shoreview Blvd., Millsboro.

Online condolences can be made by visiting melsonfuneralservices.com.