Mary "Lou" Christensen née Crockett, 79, of Saint Leonard, died 12 August 2010 of natural causes.

She was born 28 February 1931 in San Francisco, California to Wiley and Corinne Crockett. She made homes in the San Francisco Bay Area, San Diego, Chicago, Philadelphia, Norfolk, and eventually settled down and retired in Southern Maryland. Throughout her life she worked as a machinist, accountant, logistician, ski instructor, metals broker, and volunteer.

In her retirement she volunteered with Calvert Meals on Wheels and the Calvert Pines Senior Council. She gained as much from her association with these organizations as she gave. She often noted that these were the most fulfilling activities of her life and that the connections she made to the community and with the people here were precious to her.

She was mother to six children including Stephanie Mires, Robert Hunt, Paul Carroll, Marty Skees, David Christensen and Vivian Weaver; Grandmother to Melissa Weaver, Corinne Weaver, Vicki Weaver, Joshua Christensen, Tiffany Christensen, Victoria Hunt, William Hunt, Nic Kulowiec, and Dan Kulowiec ; Great grandmother to Aurora Gibson, and Cheyenne Kulowiec. Mother in-law to Marsha Warner-Carroll , Lynn Hunt, and David Weaver.

In Lieu of a memorial service she requested a party be arranged to celebrate family, life and friendship. Her wishes will be honored and an open house/barbecue will be held at her home on 4 September 2010 between the hours of 2 and 7 PM. Nothing fancy, no speeches, very casual; a time to have a laugh or two and to raise a glass to toast a life well lived.

Memorial donations may be made to Calvert County Meals on Wheels, P.O. Box 348, Prince Frederick, MD 20678 or the Calvert Pines Senior Council, 450 West Dares Beach Road, Prince Frederick, MD 20678.