Mary Lou Sells Curran was born on March 20, 1932 at Christian Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri, to James (Ben) Vernon Sells and Erma Eunice Hatcher. Mary Lou passed comfortably, peacefully, happy, full of faith and unafraid on February 18, 2020. She will be missed and remembered by family and her many friends. She is so thrilled and full of joy to be reunited with her husband, family and dear friends who have gone before her. She enjoyed life in East St. Louis, IL, Shelbyville, IN, Chicago, IL, Peoria, IL, Houston, TX, McAllen, TX, Los Altos, CA, Saratoga, CA, and Georgetown, TX.

Mary Lou grew up in East St. Louis, IL and graduated from East St. Louis High School. She married her high school sweetheart  Robert (Bob) Curran on September 20, 1952. Mary Lou had a very outgoing personality and cherished mingling with family and friends. She worked hard to support her family throughout her life. She  had a successful career with the Veteran’s Health Administration in Texas and California, earning many promotions, and eventually retired as Assistant to the Chief Hospital Administrator in Fresno, CA. Following her retirement, she had a second career selling real estate in the California Bay Area. 

Mary Lou was a very outgoing person, with a positive attitude toward family, friends, work, and life. While living in Houston, she took up tennis with dear friends Georgia and Jim Hight, and became a passionate, competitive member of tennis clubs in Texas and California. Also an enthusiastic tennis fan, she attended Wimbledon several times with tennis friends. After retirement, Mary Lou relocated with her husband Bob to Sun City in Georgetown, TX, where she fostered many close friendships, and treasured her relationships with her beloved neighbors. She was active in many clubs, especially enjoying her time on the golf course and a kind course marshal. A devoted, loving “Nana” to her grandchildren, she cherished time with each one of them, and invited them to have individual time with her during their school breaks. Valuing her role as grandmother so highly motivated her to organize the Sun City Association Junior Camp, with fun activities for grandchildren of Sun City residents each summer.

Mary Lou truly enjoyed her faith community with the Episcopal Church, which served as a second home and refuge for her as matriarch in her home. She was an active participant and raised her family with church teachings and guidance, for which her children are grateful. She attended St. Mark’s Houston, St. John’s McAllen, Christ Episcopal Los Altos, and Grace Episcopal Georgetown.

Above all, Mary Lou’s passion was her family. She loved her husband and three sons dearly. She loved watching her sons grow up and supporting them in their decisions and activities. Family gatherings were  cherished times and memories, especially the fabulous week-long reunions which she helped organize every third summer. We will miss her in Montana this July, but are so happy she is with family who have gone before us in the ultimate family reunion. Before her passing, she often spoke lovingly of her husband, parents, and others who have passed-on before, and how she looked forward to reuniting with them soon.

Preceding Mary Lou's passing are her husband Bob Curran, her parents, Ben and Erma Sells, her brother James Sells and his wife Joyce.

Mary Lou is survived by:

Son, Jeff Curran, and his wife Marci of Cottonwood Heights, UT; their children: Ben Curran and his wife Jamie of Port Angeles, WA; Caitlin Stewart and her husband Nathan of Cedar Hills, UT; Jenna Woodland and her husband Shawn of Houston, TX.

Son, Jim, his wife Caryn and their children:  Aviva and Joseph of Carlsbad, CA.

Son, Peter and his children: Hailey Curran and her wife Susan of Dallas, TX: Hannah and her husband Matt Hagg of Houston, TX; Hans Curran and his fiancée, Chelsea Gross of Dallas, TX.

Brother Sam Sells and his wife Shirley, of Campbell, CA.

Great grandchildren: (Ben and Jamie) Charlotte, Jane, Henry, and Betty; (Caitlin and Nathan) Trey and Nash; (Hailey and Susan) Jovie; (Jenna and Shawn) Emmie.

The family is grateful to the staff of Canyon Home Care & Hospice, Legacy Village of Sugar House, and Kramer Family Funeral Home in Salt Lake City for her end of life care.

Memorial service will be held on Saturday, June 27, 2020, at 11AM at Grace Episcopal Church, 1314 E University Avenue, Georgetown, TX.