Mary Askew

Despite prompt emergency medical attention, Mary Lou Askew died at home on May 20, 2018 due to sudden complications of influenza. Mary Lou was born and raised in Columbus, Ohio and then moved with her family to the Boston area in 1972. With a strong interest in music, Mary Lou played flute in the Greater Bostonians, and studied Music Education at Gordon College, graduating in 1977. Before marriage to Tom Askew, a fellow student from Gordon, Mary Lou taught music and directed the high school band in Freeport, Maine. As Tom's scientific career progressed, Tom and Mary Lou lived in Princeton, New Jersey; Urbana, Illinois; Wilmington, Delaware and then after 1991, Kalamazoo, Michigan. Mary Lou was a devout Christian and involved in church music and education in several different Lutheran churches. At Prince of Peace Lutheran in Portage, Mary Lou served for many years as director of the handbell choir, but was also a member of the church staff in several other capacities. Mary Lou was known for being a patient and caring person as well as a dedicated servant of Our Lord. Mary Lou is survived by her husband Tom, and son Steve, both of Kalamazoo, and two sisters, Elizabeth Spinks of Bowie, Maryland and Kathleen Christianson of Mansfield, Massachusetts. Nieces and nephews include Karin Christianson, Jen Christianson, Michael Spinks, Daniel Spinks, Rebecca Askew, Brianna Askew and T. J. Askew. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, May 24, 2018 at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, 1747 W. Milham Rd., Portage, MI 49024, with visitation beginning at 10 a.m. The Rev. Rachel Laughlin will officiate the service. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to Prince of Peace Lutheran Church Music Fund. Arrangements by Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Memorial Chapel. Feel free to visit Mary Lou's personalized web page at www.langelands.com, sign the online guest book, or leave a message for the family.