Obituary of Mary Lou Ortega

Mary Lou Ortega, 62, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, March 25, 2008 at Stamford Hospital with her family at her side. She had battled bravely against lung cancer. Born April 14, 1945 in Brooklyn, NY, she was the daughter of the late Charles Patrick and Frances Gray. Mary Lou worked at Hedi Johnson Temporaries in Darien, evaluating and assigning temporary workers. She was a long-time resident of Stamford and will be remembered by many for her untiring involvement in the Stamford Youth Soccer League during its early years. Mary Lou was adored for her selfless nature and personal strength. In 2001 when she donated her kidney to her sister, she shrugged off all praise saying, "that's just what you do." Mary Lou is survived by her companion of 17 years, Paul Packard of Stamford; her sons, Christopher and wife Kathleen of Merrimack, NH; Kevin and wife Cathy Lu of Stamford; Matthew and wife Diana of Fort Smith, AR; Daniel and wife Jodie of Fairfield, and 13 grandchildren. She is also survived by her siblings, Frances Pierce of Newtown; Judith Kelly of Barnegat, NJ and Naples, FL and Charles Gray of Ridgewood, NJ. Friends may call at the Edward Lawrence Funeral Home, 2119 Post Road, Darien, CT, on Thursday, March 27 from 2:00 to 4:00 PM and from 7:00 to 9:00 PM. A funeral procession will be leaving the funeral home at 9:20 AM on Saturday, March 29th and proceed to St. Gabriel Parish, 914 Newfield Avenue, Stamford, where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 AM. Interment will follow at Queen of Peace Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations are made to the National Kidney Foundation, 2139 Silas Dean Highway, Suite 208, Rocky Hill, CT 06067-2339. Funeral Home: Edward Lawrence Funeral Home 2119 Post Road Darien, CT USA 06820