Mary Louise DeWitt Carriere, 89, died peacefully on June 24, 2016 at Watermark Residence in Philadelphia, Pa., after a long illness. Mary Lou was born in Detroit on Nov. 10, 1926, the sixth child of Nathalie LaFerte DeWitt and Edward M. DeWitt. She attended Gesu School, Blessed Sacrament Academy High School and Marygrove College. In 1951, Mary Lou married Lester Carriere. Both Mary Lou and Lester were descendants of French families from Montreal, Canada. After her husband, Lester, died, in 1970, Mary Lou moved to Middletown, N.Y., with their four children.

While in Middletown, Mary Lou worked at Horton Hospital. Later she worked at Logos Computer Corporation on translating client handbooks from English to Vietnamese. She loved to play piano and enjoyed classical music. Golf, swimming, tennis, and fishing were some of her hobbies. She will be remembered for her great sense of humor, her courage and the words: “To thine own self be true.”

In 1993, after her children were grown, she moved to Tallahassee, Fla., to be close to her sisters, Shirley Poore and Natalie Lucas. She worked as a realtor and at Florida State University, where she was a House Mother at Chi Omega and other sororities. In 2011 she returned to Philadelphia to be closer to her family.

Mary Lou was predeceased by four brothers: Edward L. DeWitt, Charles Carter DeWitt, the Rev. James Francis DeWitt and Bernard H. DeWitt, Lt. Col, USAF, Ret.

Mary Lou is survived by her children: Leslie Mellet (Oliver), Philadelphia; Peter J. Carriere, Metamoris, Pa.; Thomas Carriere (Kathleen), Warminster, Pa.; and Theresa Weirs (Michael), Ray, Mich., as well as four siblings: Elizabeth (Betty) Stant, Hot Springs Village, Ark.; Natalie D. Lucas, St. Augustine, Fla.; John J. DeWitt, Ph.D, (Wynni), Marine City, Mich.; and Shirley D. Poore (Bill), Tallassee, Fla. In addition, Mary Lou is survived by 19 grandchildren and five great grandchildren.

A Mass of the Resurrection was celebrated at Old St. Mary’s Church in Philadelphia on June 28, 2016. A private family service will be held in August at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Southfield, Mich.

Memorials may be sent to: Holy Sepulchre Catholic Cemetery, 25800 W. 10 M. Rd., Southfield, MI 48075. (248) 350-1900. Attn: Ryan Penny.