Mary Lou (McCormick) Schnorf

There are no goodbyes for us. Wherever you are, you will always be in my heart.

Mahatma Gandhi

Mary Lou Schnorf passed away on January 24, 2024, at Atria Merrimack Place with her family close by. Mary Lou was born in Winnipeg Manitoba, Canada on March 15, 1929, the only child of Arnold and Olive (Lindsay) McCormick. After attending high school in Regina, she went on to graduate from the University of Saskatchewan. The draw of warmer climes led her to San Francisco where she worked as a hospital laboratory technician. She fell in love with the city and with her future husband, Ernest H. Schnorf of Kuesnacht, Switzerland. They married in San Francisco in 1953 and Mary Lou gave birth to her two daughters there before moves with her husband led to homes in Hamburg, Germany, Chicago, IL, Vevey, Switzerland and finally 26 years of retirement living in her much-loved Marin County, CA. Her husband Ernie passed away there in 2015. Mary Lou moved to Newburyport in 2016 to live with her daughter Barbara and son-in-law Paul. She took great pleasure in the company of their sweet dog Cito and delighted in the abundant nature of the area. Mary Lou was an avid reader and traveler, puzzler, cook and baker and loved exploring art and history. Golf was her sport early in life, later she enjoyed hiking and birding in Marin. Entertaining and spending time with her dear friends in Lagunitas brought her much joy.

Mary Lou is survived by her daughter Barbara and son-in-law Paul Benoit with Cito of Newburyport MA, and daughter Kathryn of Herrliberg, Switzerland. We are thankful for all she gave us – love, comfort, encouragement, freedom – and for all of herself she shared with us – a lively curiosity, her humor and generosity, a strong will, her love of dogs and delight in nature. We will miss her terribly. Our gratitude goes to the memory care team in Life Guidance at Atria and the Compassus hospice staff for their tender, respectful and supportive care.

According to Mary Lou’s wishes, there will be no services. The Twomey, LeBlanc & Conte Funeral Home in Newburyport is assisting with her arrangements.

If you would like to donate in Mary Lou’s memory, please support the Audubon Canyon Ranch in Stinson Beach, CA via egret.org/donate

To offer online condolences please visit www.tlcfuneralhome.com

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