My sweet beautiful mom, Mary Lou, passed away yesterday afternoon peacefully and quietly while my wife, Jennifer, and I sat with her.

This past year has been a roller coaster of struggles with health, but it gave us time together that I will always cherish, because I was able to take good care of her like she's always done for me. We struggled and suffered together, but in between, we had a lot of laughs and tender moments. It makes me happy that I was able to show her how much I loved her and appreciated her.

While I can't help but feel sadness, I'm also celebrating how lucky I've been to have had the greatest mom in the world.

~Stan

Mary Louise Pelz, better known as Mary Lou or Loulou, 84, of Jacksonville, Florida, passed away on March 6, 2020 in Altamonte Springs, Florida, following a year-long battle with late stage COPD. A small family celebration-of-life gathering will take place at a later date.

Mary Lou was born in Cincinnati, Ohio on July 28, 1935 to parents George and Clara Stehlin. She grew up in Cincinnati, but spent most of her life in Jacksonville where she worked as an administrative assistant for Royal Services for 26 years and raised two loving sons, Stan and Vince.

Mary Lou enjoyed square dancing, playing Bunco, dining out with her friends, gardening, and volunteering at Baptist Memorial Hospital. She maintained many wonderful friendships throughout her life and enjoyed her time with friends and neighbors during her retirement years.

Mary Lou is survived by her son, Stan Pelz and his wife, Jennifer, Nate Pelz (grandson), Bob Stehlin (brother), Joann Behr (sister), Laura Hiler and Christy Pierce (nieces), Doug Behr, Bob Stehlin, Jr., and Troy Stehlin (nephews), as well as many other special family and friends.

Mary Lou is preceded in death by her son, Vince Pelz and parents George and Clara Stehlin.

If you'd like to pay your respects, memorial donations may be given to the Jacksonville Humane Society, a charity Mary Lou proudly supported. The family of Mary Lou Pelz wishes to thank all of our friends and family for your loving support and for sharing your fond memories of Loulou. She cherished her friendships and family relationships, and over the past year, she often enjoyed reminiscing about fun times with all of you. Mary Lou was one of a kind and will truly be missed.