Mary Lou Duncan

Mary Lou Duncan, 78, Benton Harbor, MI, went to be with our Lord on March 3, 2012. A Celebration of Life service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, March 9, 2012, at the Fairplain Presbyterian Church, Benton Harbor, officiated by The Rev. LaVerne Davenport. Burial will follow at the Riverview Cemetery in St. Joseph. A time of visitation will take place from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. Thursday, March 8, 2012 at Starks & Menchinger Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Road, St. Joseph. Memorial may be made to the Sarett Nature Center. Those wishing to share a memory or sign the guest book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Mary Lou is survived by her husband, Dr. Charles Duncan, her daughters, Julie (Neil) Goltermann and Elizabeth (Tom) Parrott, and five grandchildren, Max, Mathea and Sam Goltermann, and Riley and Duncan Parrott. Mary Lou was born on March 10, 1933, in Omaha, Nebraska, to George and Clara Myers. The daughter of a road contractor, her family moved frequently until settling in El Dorado, Kansas. She was the oldest of four children; her surviving siblings are Mrs. Harriet (Pat) Brazil of Mission Hills, Kansas, Mrs. Barbara (Ted) Dankert and Marc Myers, both of El Dorado. After graduating from El Dorado High School, she attended Kansas University, majoring in Mathematics. She married the love of her life, Charles Duncan, and the two moved to Texas where they met friends from the Twin Cities, who encouraged them to visit this area. It was love at first sight, and they have resided here since 1959. Mary Lou lived her life to help others. She had been an active member of many local organizations, including Women’s Service League, Indian Hills Garden Club and the local alumnae chapter of Kappa Kappa Gamma. She served on the Berrien County Mental Health Board for many years. She was pivotal in bringing the Michigan Artrain exhibit to St. Joseph. She served as a Stephens Minister through her church, Fairplain Presbyterian. Additionally, she was an avid golfer, skier, and loved traveling with Charles to locations near and far. Most of all, “Mom-Mom” adored being with her grandchildren. She will always be remembered for her beautiful smile and her enthusiasm for helping others. Her kindness, friendship and generosity were products of her strong faith, and she gave the best of herself in all things in which she was involved. She was a wonderful wife and mother. Though she will be missed terribly, her spirit will comfort those who knew her.