STRONG — Mary Lou Katz, 52, passed away Sept. 13, at her home in Strong.

She was born in 1958, in Chicago Heights, Ill., the second child of Leonard and Mary Katherine Hering. After graduating from Crete-Monee High School, she attended the California College of Art in Oakland, and graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Arts and Graphic Design.

After her marriage, she moved many times across the country, living in New Jersey, then Vermont, then finally settling in Strong in 1990. In that year, she had her first child, and continued to pursue her career from home until the birth of her son in 1995. Though not affiliated with any church, Mary Lou was nonetheless a deeply faithful person.

Mary Lou had many interests and appreciations, but in particular she enjoyed art of any form, and was a talented watercolor painter.

She also enjoyed many genres of music, gardening, and was very interested in reading and literature, especially English novels and the works of transcendentalist writers such as Thoreau and Louisa May Alcott.

She is survived by her children, Lenore Katz and Todd Katz Jr.

She was predeceased by her husband, Todd Katz Sr.