Mary Lou Mildred Dabbert, 86, of Arlington, Texas, passed away peacefully on December 3, 2024. Born on August 4, 1938, in Fort Erie, Ontario, Canada, Mary Lou was the cherished daughter of Graham and Mildred (Snyder) Bender.
Mary Lou grew up in London & Kitchener, Ontario, Canada, where her adventurous spirit and love for learning and books first took root. A proud member of the Girl Guides of Canada, she was also a good student and talented archer, demonstrating grace and focus from an early age. After earning her college degree from the Toronto Teachers College, Mary Lou began her career as an elementary school teacher. Eventually, her yearning for adventure led her to the skies, where she became a flight attendant for American Airlines, earning her wings in 1959.
It was during this chapter of her life that fate intervened. Mutual friends introduced her to Tomas Leeds Dabbert on a blind date in 1966. Their connection was instant, and within six months, the two were married. Together, they built a beautiful life filled with love, laughter, and three children: Nicole, Jeremy, and Jonathan. Mary Lou and Tom recently celebrated their 58th wedding anniversary, a milestone she was proud of.
As a devoted wife, mother, and later a grandmother, Mary Lou always prioritized her family. Her kids were the center of her world, and she poured her heart into ensuring their happiness and well-being. When her children grew older, Mary Lou combined her love for education and books by becoming an assistant school librarian at Wimbish Elementary in the Arlington Independent School District. She shared her passion for reading with students, her children, and her grandchildren and was able to meet many well-known children’s book authors.
A member of First United Methodist Church in Arlington for 50 years, Mary Lou was a steadfast source of kindness and support to all who knew her. Her warm smile and listening ear made her a person others could turn to in times of need. Whether caring for her kids, their friends, or anyone else in her community, Mary Lou exemplified love and compassion. She was an active member of many school PTA’s, was a board member of Dance Theater of Arlington, a cub scout den mother, and an avid Texas Rangers fan.
Mary Lou is survived by her daughter, Nicole Jolee Dabbert-Roper (Walt) of Muenster, Texas; her sons, Jeremy Leeds Dabbert (Marie) of Celina, Texas, and Jonathan Graham Dabbert (Cristina) of Dallas, Texas, and her beloved grandchildren: Raegan, Cole, Connor, Caiden, and Raphael; her sister, Judith Graham Ionita (Richard) of San Angelo, Texas; and a host of extended family and dear friends.
She was preceded in death by her devoted husband, Tomas Leeds Dabbert, and her parents, Graham and Mildred Bender.
A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. at St. Andrews Methodist Church, on Wednesday, December 11, 2024, 5801 West Plano Parkway, Plano, Texas 75093. The service will be livestreamed on the St. Andrews Methodist Church website. Following the service, the burial will take place at 1:00 p.m. at Ridgeview West Memorial Park 7800 Sanctuary Dr, Frisco, Texas 75033.
The family will receive family and friends during a visitation on Tuesday evening December 10, from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. at the funeral home.