MaryLou (Smith) Ashyk

MaryLou Ashyk (nee Smith), 89, our beautiful mother and grandma “Honey” peacefully entered into eternal rest on December 1, 2022 in Laguna Niguel, California after a sudden, unexpected illness. She was surrounded by her loving family. Although MaryLou was a lifelong resident of Elyria, in recent years she shared time between her children’s homes in Ohio and California and had been living in southern California the last four years.

There is nothing more beautiful than someone who goes out of their way to make life beautiful for others.

This describes our remarkable mom and grandma. She was our guiding light. MaryLou loved people and they loved her back. She captivated friends and strangers alike with her charming personality and kind spirit. She radiated grace and elegance when she entered a room and had a special gift of making people feel like they were the most important person in her world.

MaryLou was born October 10, 1933 in Elyria, Ohio to Malcolm and Madelean Smith (nee McGuane). Her mother passed away when she was six months old. Yet she had a joyful childhood, raised by her father and her second mom Cecilia Smith. She attended St. Mary’s and graduated from Elyria High School in 1951 where she proudly led the Pioneer marching band as head majorette. She loved to dance, entertain, twirl her batons, play baseball, ride her Schwinn bike and was even a magnificent figure skater. She enjoyed selling Top 40 hit records at Wagner’s Music. After high school, she had diverse work experiences including chair side dental assistant, Personnel Administrator at the GM/Cadillac tank plant and many years with Hobart Health Foods and Dietary Foods. In later years, she worked at Merle Norman Cosmetic Studio in downtown Elyria and had great fun with her pals “Twitch” and Jackie.  She was a member of Beta Sigma Phi social sorority, Iota Omicron President and chapter Queen. 

MaryLou was married to her devoted husband, Stan, for 60 years until his passing in 2016. They built a beautiful life and family in Elyria. Throughout her life, she remained steadfast in her faith and passed along her love of God and Catholicism to her family. We could always count on finding one (or ten) rosaries and prayer books in her purse. She was a devoted parishioner at St. Jude Catholic Church and served in many lay ministries including Altar & Rosary Society, Eucharistic Minister, Mass Lector, Eucharistic adorer and RCIA. She was a “Volunteer Extraordinaire” - PTA President, gym teacher, room mother, Girl Scout troop leader, Little League team mom (still has the trophy) and many hours as a parent volunteer with the famed Linda’s Lassies baton & drum corps. There was no limit to what she would do for us or others.

Our mom enjoyed communicating; she never met a stranger and would make friends in unexpected places. Our kitchen table was a place for fun and lively discussions, often until wee hours of the night (to the dismay of our dad). She often said, “If these walls could talk.” She also loved the written word. If you received a card from her, it was likely covered in drawings of the sun and hearts, lots of stickers, exclamation points and squiggly underlines for extra emphasis. We have now all picked up this habit!!! She embodied optimism and positivity, answering her phone with a cheery “Good Day!”

An avid sports fan, she proudly rooted for the Cavs, Indians and OSU Buckeyes. MaryLou and Stan were OSU Alumni Club lifetime members and season ticket holders for 70 years. She reveled in the big moments, but equally enjoyed quiet, simple pleasures such as a good meal served with pasta, splits of champagne, French pastries and her all time favorite, white wedding cake. She cherished her time with her grandchildren, Maddie and Chris and adored her grand-dogs. At the end of the day, she often found happiness and peace walking by the water while enjoying magnificent sunsets.

She will be deeply missed by her loving children, Andrea (Mark) Wood of Powell, OH; Amy (Don) Ladwig of Laguna Niguel, CA; son Jonathan Ashyk of San Clemente, CA; adoring grandchildren Christopher Ladwig of Laguna Niguel, CA and Madelaine Wood of Chicago, IL; sister-in-law and dear friend Helen Ashyk (age 99) of Westlake, Ohio and many loving nieces, nephews, cousins and lifelong friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Stanley; parents Madelean Smith, Malcolm Smith (1963) and Cecilia Smith (1999); her little brother and best friend Wally Smith (2018) and treasured sister-in-law Sandy Smith (2021).

Mass of Christian Burial will be held Friday, April 14, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Jude Catholic Church, 590 Poplar St., Elyria. The Rev. Frank P. Kosem will be the Celebrant, assisted by Deacon Pat Humphrey.  Memorial Masses will also take place at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church in Powell, OH and St. Edward the Confessor Catholic Church in Dana Point, CA. Interment will take place at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Elyria. Memorial donations can be made in honor of MaryLou Ashyk to Elyria Catholic High School, 725 Gulf Rd., Elyria, OH  44035 or www.elyriacatholic.com/give.

Arrangements are being handled by The Laubenthal Mercado Funeral Home of Elyria, Ohio and Pacific Cremation Services of Lake Forest, California.

Online condolences and memories may be expressed to the family at www.laubenthalmercado.com or www.pacificcremationservices.com

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