Mary Louise Sawyer Lurting

Mary Louise Sawyer, 93, of Beaver, went to be with the Lord Tuesday morning, August 11, 2015 at Sherwood Oaks, Cranberry Township where she had been a resident for the past eleven years.

She was a daughter of the late Dr. Alexander and Zelie Duncan Lurting, born November 11, 1921 in Mars, PA where she was raised and graduated high school. She had been an active member of the Mars Methodist Church where she sang in the choir. She graduated from Geneva College with a degree in Elementary Education in 1943, having taught the 5th grade at Mars Elementary School. In 1945, she married John N. Sawyer, moved to Washington, D.C. where her husband worked for the Pentagon. At the conclusion of WWII, they moved to Beaver to raise their family. Mary Lou became an active member of the First Presbyterian Church, Beaver where she gave her time, talent, and financial support. She was the 3rd woman to be ordained as an elder in the church, delivered Meals on Wheels, and was devoted to the Salvation Army for many years as both a volunteer and board member. She continued her service at Sherwood Oaks on the Chapel Committee.

She was a woman of great Christian Faith who often professed she had a wonderful life despite difficult challenges life dealt along the way. She always lent an ear to anyone who might need assistance, advice, or empathy. She walked by faith and lived well, and for this, the world is a little better because of the lives Mary Lou touched during her 93 years.

Beside her parents, Mary Lou was preceded in death by her husband, Judge John N. Sawyer in 2002, her oldest son, John L. Sawyer in 1987, 3 grandchildren, Kristen, Emily, and John Hovis, and a sister Dorothea Spangler.

Surviving Mary Lou are 2 sons, Rev Clark T. (Kathy) Sawyer, Butler, PA, and Robert A. (Jan) Sawyer, Germantown, TN, 1 daughter, Susan (Bill) Hovis, Norcross, GA, a daughter-in-law, Lisa (Martin)Earl, Pittsburgh, 11 grandchildren; Devyn Olson-Sawyer (Gerry) Leblique, Kai (Laura), Micah, Cara, Callie Olson-Sawyer, Clara, Ellie, Nolan, Nevin Sawyer, Sydney Sawyer (Adam) Murphree, and Jessica Hovis and 4 great-grandchildren.

A Celebration of Life Service will be conducted by her son, Rev. Clark Sawyer and her pastor, Rev Jeffrey A. Arnold, Sunday, August 16, 2015 at 4:00 pm in the First Presbyterian Church, 252 College Avenue, Beaver. A reception will follow where the family will receive friends.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Mary Louise’s name may be made to the First Presbyterian Church, 252 College Avenue, Beaver, PA 15009 or St. Jude’s Children Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN, 38105