We are sad to announce that Mary Louise (Fitzpatrick) Stoewer, 81 of Winchester, VA, passed away on Saturday, April 20, 2024, at Winchester Medical Center.

Mary Lou was born in 1942 in Baltimore, MD, She was the loved and cherished daughter of the late Matthew Joseph Fitzpatrick II and Mary Anna (Soul) Klausmeyer.

In her Early Life, she attended the Shrine of the Little Flower Catholic Elementary School from grades one through eight. She attended and graduated from Infant of Prague High School in Baltimore MD. She went on to achieve two degrees. She earned her Associate’s Degree as a Medical Secretary from Villa Julie College in Owings Mills, MD, in 1962 and she received an Associate’s Degree in Applied Science in Nursing at Sinclair Community College in Dayton, OH in 1978.

Throughout her life, she worked and lead a variety of unique positions, in the medical field and many leadership positions as a volunteer of her community. She started out working as a Medical Secretary in Baltimore MD. She married and went on to become a stay at home mother to her only child, Karen. Mary Lou moved with her family to East Palestine Ohio and during this time, she devoted her life not only to her family, but also as a volunteer to her community, in Garden Club, Jaycee Wives, Campfire Girls of America, and was a volunteer CCD teacher at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church and assisted at the elementary school.

She later relocated to Dayton Ohio with her family, in 1974. She continued to pursue her medical career while still being a full-time mother. She went back to school and earned her second Associates Degree 1978. This landed her the Position of Pulmonary Nurse then Psychiatric RN at Kettering Medical Center where she devoted 17 wonderful years of her life.

In her later years, she moved on to Winchester Virginia to be with her daughter, and family and to seek further enrichment as an RN. She served as an RN at Winchester Medical Center for 9 more years

This livelihood followed her up until her retirement where she settled down in Winchester Virginia devoting her time to her community, daughter, and grandchildren. She was a devoted Catholic and a member of Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church. She was a Co-leader of Girl Scouts of America, and a Member of The Moose Lodge where she was also a volunteer in Women of the Moose. She devoted time as an assistant to her daughter Karen in her daughter’s day care “Buttons and Bows” where she spent many years teaching and shaping many young souls who she cared deeply towards. She was an affectionate and loving Nana to five grandchildren and three great grandchildren who will miss her dearly.

Mary Lou was a beacon of light to those who came in touch with her and she cared for each person that walked into her life. Mary Lou enjoyed Word’s with Friends, Cross Word Puzzles, Banana Grams and Scrabble. She was a lover of Broadway Musicals, The Grand Ole Opry and an avid watcher of Outlander and Bridgeton. Most importantly, she enjoyed spending time her family and being at the beach.

We hope she gets to have a view of the Ocean for endless days to come where we will someday join her along the shore once more.

She is survived by her daughter, Karen Cynthia Sinnathamby, son in law, Murali Sinnathamby; grandchildren, Barbara Ceylon Kent and her husband Travis Kent, Selena Renee Sinnathamby and Fiancé John Edwards, Tharan McKenna Sinnathamby, Liam Ravi Sinnathamby, and Dawson Sri Sinnathamby; immediate family: William and Laura Stoewer; great-grandchildren, Clark Matthew Kent, Brian Scott Edwards and Eleanor Amelia Kent; sisters, Leslie Cynthia Yekstat, Nancy Elaine Umberger; brother, Walter Frances Klausmeyer, Jr.; extended family, and Debra Beagle, and many loving nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends.

Along with her parents, Mary Lou is preceded in death by her stepfather, Walter Francis Klausmeyer, Sr., granddaughter, Cameron Shanti Sinnathamby, sister, Kathleen Mary Ruppert and her brother, Raymond Nelson Klausmeyer.

A Mother, Nana, Sister, Cousin, and Cherished friend to all. She will be greatly missed and remembered by her family and friends, forever and always.

Family and Friends will honor Mary Lou’s life at Omps Funeral Home 1600 Amherst St. Winchester Virginia 22601 on Wednesday May 1st from 6-8pm.
A Mass will be held at Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church, 130 Keating Drive Winchester Virginia 22601 on Thursday May 2nd at 11am. Interment will be private.

In honor of Mary Lou’s wish, which was for her final events to be a celebration of life, we encourage those of the attending guests, to please dress in color to celebrate the life and enjoyment Mary Lou has brought to us all.

If desired, contributions may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital at https://www.stjude.org/donate