Jan. 10, 1929 — Oct. 5, 2025
Mary Lou was born in DeKalb, Illinois, to Dr George Ells Boardman and Virginia Harrison Boardman. Brother Richard (Dick) followed two years later. Mary Lou graduated from DeKalb High School and attended both McMurray College and Northern Illinois University.
She taught kindergarten and was a stewardess before marrying Billy Grange Wennlund, also of DeKalb, on Nov. 5, 1955. Billy was a talented musician and worked for the Wurlitzer Company when he and Mary Lou were first together. Daughter Cindy arrived in 1956 while they were still living in DeKalb. Karen was born in 1960 after her parents had moved to Joliet, Illinois. The family relocated to Lake Forest, Illinois, in 1964, a move that was precipitated by Billy’s promotion in the music industry.
Mary Lou had a keen love of travel and was able to accompany Billy on many of his international business trips. Europe, South Africa, and Australia were several of these adventurous locations. Their favorite vacation spot was Coco Palms in Kauai, which they enjoyed many times. Being a mother came very naturally to Mary Lou; indeed, some neighborhood children preferred her home to their own. The frequently offered fresh-baked cookies and brownies had something to do with it, but mostly it was Mary Lou’s gentle, nurturing nature that turned her home into a hub for the neighborhood kids.
While Mary Lou may have wished at times for a life of greater independence and adventure, she was a woman of her time and lovingly poured her energy into being an active, devoted, and loving mom, for which Cindy and Karen are deeply grateful. She was known to say that becoming a mother was the best thing to have ever happened to her.
In addition to family, Mary Lou enjoyed loving friendships, tennis, dancing, and the family dogs and cats. After her daughters were raised and Billy retired, the couple relocated to Lake Ozark, Missouri, where her love of animals led her into a period of active volunteer work supporting animal shelters. Her life there was also filled with close friends, pets, tennis, and social activities.
After Billy died in early 2008, Mary Lou moved once again, along with her dog and two cats, this time to Ashland, to be near her daughter, Karen, and her partner, Lisa. A few years later, Cindy and her husband, Phil, left the Midwest for Ashland, and once again, Mary Lou was near her beloved daughters. Although the life transition into widowhood and another relocation was challenging, Mary Lou navigated the ups and downs with characteristic tenacity — she was a true “survivor”. She forged many fond friendships, enjoyed being active at the YMCA, attending the Ashland United Church of Christ, and participating in many Osher Lifelong Learning Institute classes (especially those featuring movies!).
Mary Lou’s final years were filled with the challenges of aging and, increasingly, with the heartbreaking process of dementia. Her daughters provided devoted care as did staff at both The Village at Valley View, and Skylark Assisted Living and Memory Care. Mary Lou, Cindy, and Karen were deeply grateful for the care received during her last years from both these facilities, as well as Providence Hospice in her last months.
Mary Lou was preceded in death by her husband, Billy; her parents, Dr. George and Virginia Boardman; and her brother, Dick Boardman. She is survived by her daughter, Cindy Patterson, and her husband, Phil; her daughter, Karen Wennlund, and her partner, Lisa Spencer; as well as beloved nieces and nephews and their families.
At her request, Mary Lou’s remains were cremated and will be interred next to Billy’s in Oakwood Cemetery in DeKalb, Illinois, at a future date. A small family service will be held there at that time. The family requests that no flowers be sent but donations in memory of Mary Lou may be made to your local animal shelter.
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