MaryLee Lopez's Obituary
MaryLee Lopez, 95, of Mandeville, LA, passed away peacefully on March 27th. Beloved daughter of the late Gertrude (Messenger) and Irving Ton, both longtime residents of New Orleans and later Covington. She is survived by her 2 sons, Mark (Christa) of Nantucket, MA and Rick of Covington, two granddaughters and multiple grandnieces and grandnephews. She was preceded in death by her husband of 41 years, George “Tony” Lopez and her brother, Jack Ton.
Marylee was born and raised in New Orleans. She told of a childhood living in an apartment at the Pontalba building in the French Quarter in the mid 1930’s and 40’s. She and her brother used to roller skate throughout Jackson Square and the Quarter. She was a lovely ballet dancer, taught by the esteemed ballerina Lelia Haller. She went on to dance in the New Orleans Opera Corps de Ballet for over 13 years where she met her future husband, Tony, then a singing member of the opera company. MaryLee and Tony were some of the early residents of Tchefuncta Country Club in Covington and later Beau Chene Country Club in Mandeville.
After moving to Mandeville, MaryLee took great pleasure in working for 10 years as a switchboard operator and receptionist for the Lakeview Regional Center in Mandeville. In her later years, she traveled extensively, visiting many of the major capitols of Europe as well as cruising to the Bahamas.
She was a long-time parishioner of St. Anselm Catholic Church in Madisonville, enjoying participating in many St. Joseph Alter preparations throughout her years at the church. Additionally, she derived much joy and comfort in attending numerous spiritual retreats at the St. Joseph Abbey in Covington and participating in the Abbey’s Oblates program.
She was a wonderful mother, grandmother, wife, and friend and will be remembered for her wonderful sense of humor, easy laugh and almost encyclopedic knowledge of old black and white movies and operas. She will be forever missed by those she leaves behind.
The family wishes to express sincere appreciation for the tender care given MaryLee by the wonderful staff at the Peristyle at Beau West assisted living facility and the skilled and professional nursing provided by the Foundations Hospice team.
E.J. Fielding Funeral Home locally owned and operated, (985) 892-9222 has been entrusted with funeral arrangements.
A private internment service will be held at Pinecrest Memorial Gardens.
The Lopez family kindly invites you to share thoughts, fondest memories, and condolences online at E. J. Fielding Funeral Home Guest Book at www.ejfieldingfh.com.
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