Mary Louise ‘Marilou’ Bockstie of West Chester

Mary Louise “Marilou” Bockstie, 84, of West Chester, PA went home to be with the Lord on December 29, 2017.

Born in Baltimore, MD on December 10, 1933, Marilou was the daughter of the late Andrew C. and Regina (nee Mueller) Goss, and the youngest of nine siblings.

She was the loving mother of Juanita “Nita” Mattiola (John) and the devoted grandmother of Samuel, Joseph and Jack Mattiola; sister of Robert Goss (Bettie); sister-in-law of Rita Downey, Dorothy McElroy and Richard Bockstie (Connie).

She was predeceased by her former husband, Lawrence Bockstie, Jr.; and siblings Andrew Goss, Regina Brown, Esther Goss, David Goss, Elizabeth “Libby” Stoops, Francis Goss and Mary Helen “Dolly” Brown.

Marilou was unable to complete high school after she was diagnosed at age 16 with rheumatoid arthritis. Always an avid reader and learner, she returned to school in her early 40’s and graduated summa cum laude from the University of Pittsburgh Bradford with her Bachelor’s degree in English. She continued her love of learning by enrolling in a variety of classes with the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) following her move to West Chester in 2004.

Before moving to West Chester, Marilou resided in Chesapeake City, MD. She was an active member of St. Rose of Lima parish, along with her sister, Dolly.

Marilou loved gardening, book clubs, painting and good conversation. She was a very talented artist, baker and seamstress. Her greatest joy was spending time with her family in West Chester and extended family in Maryland.

She will be deeply missed by her family, including many nieces and nephews, and her friends.

Relatives and friends are invited to Marilou’s Visitation from 10:00 - 11:00 AM on Saturday, January 6, 2018 at SS Simon and Jude Church, 8 Cavanaugh Court, West Chester, PA 19382 followed immediately by her Funeral Mass 11am. Interment will be at the Most Holy Redeemer Cemetery in Baltimore, MD at a future date.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Joseph’s Indian School, PO Box 100, Chamberlain, SD 573250100 (www.stjo.org)

The family would like to thank the many wonderful caregivers who were a part of Marilou’s life in the past nine months.

Arrangements by The Donohue Funeral Home, 1627 West Chester Pike, West Chester, PA 19382, 610431-9000.