Obituary of Mary Lou Atkinson

Our beautiful friend Mary Lou Gneiser Atkinson, found her peaceful release on July 31, 2017 from her battle with brain cancer. A sudden diagnosis caught Mary in the latter part of March and her graceful managing of her health situation leaves us all in awe of her calm sense of peace and ongoing ability to send out her love to friends and the many who care about her.

Mary is the only child of Lester and Helen Cecile Gneiser, born November 12, 1945 in Ripon, Wisconsin. While she has no living relatives, she has a large circle of friends who care very deeply about this remarkable woman. Mary exhibited both grace and solid opinion throughout her life. Her collection of friends who held her near in her illness entitled ourselves the WWO; Women With Opinions, in honor of Mary’s feisty assertive and meaningful messages. She was always the advocate of all matters of style and manners; a collection of talents that were perfectly aligned with her career as store director for Miss Jackson’s and later as Owner of the high-end stationery and personal goods store, Pengaro’s in Utica Square for over 12 years. 

Following Pengaro’s closure, Mary attended para-legal courses at TCC and became employed as a receptionist with the District Attorney’s office 2 years ago at age 69. Her past work as a ride along Spanish translator with the Police Department and as a volunteer in the Warrants section at the jail enabled Mary to be a Warrants Clerk with the DA’s office. She continues to be a role model for persistence and self-sufficiency as well as grace and friendship for all.

Services for Mary will be held as part of the regular Taize Services at Trinity Episcopal Church on Mary’s birthday, November 12 at 5:00pm. A celebration of her life will be held following at the Tulsa Garden Center. Donations to the Hospice of Green Country and Saint Simeon’s are appreciated honoring Mary and those who gave her excellent and loving care.