Mary Lou Derose-Girotti

Wilbraham- Mary Louise Theresa (Fortin) Derose-Girotti passed on to her reward Friday, Nov. 8, at Baystate Medical Center. She was born May 23, 1939, in Springfield to the late Dr. F. Frederick Fortin and Alma (Latour) Fortin. Mary Lou raised her family in West Spfld. and lived there most of her life. She moved to Wilbraham in 2013. She leaves her dear husband, Dr. William J. Girotti of Wilbraham. In 1994 she was predeceased by her first husband of 32 years, Dr. Louis F. Derose. In 2011, she was predeceased by a special friend, Dr. Ronald W. Gintowt. Mary Lou leaves her children and their families: From Shreveport, LA., a son Louis J., his wife Karen (Mitchell) and their sons, Louis W., and Benjamin A. From Northampton, MA, a son Dr. Stephen F., his wife Dr. Kathryn (Pitkin) and their sons, Nathanael P., and Leander P. From Oregon, WI, a daughter Marie C. Derose Schanke, her husband Craig, and their son Jake. Their son Scott passed away in 2010. Mary Lou’s family with Bill: From Orleans, MA, Cynthia Girotti Schultz, her husband Philip, and their children, Peter, Ted, and Sarah. From Douglas, MA, Mary Margaret Girotti Eldridge, her husband Ed and their children Ethan, Megan, and Zachary. From Wakefield, MA, William Girotti, his wife Kelly and their children Molly and Erin. Mary Lou’s siblings and families: From South Hadley, MA., Frances Fortin Breau and her husband Edward P. and daughters, Ellen, Susan, Amy, and Alisa. From Asheville, NC, Alma Fortin Wong, and her husband Oscar Wong. and daughters Leah and Nicole. From Atlanta, GA, Frederick L. Fortin was a brother that passed in 2007, his wife Athena Bardis Fortin passed in 2022, and their two children, Katherine and Michael. From Colorado Springs, CA, Lucille Fortin Khoury and her children, Kierson, Colin, and Charis. From Westfield, Charles V. Fortin and his sons Christopher and Russell. Mary Lou graduated from Cathedral High School in 1957 and Newton College of the Sacred Heart in 1961 with a degree in economics. In the early years, Mary Lou was primarily a chauffeur and homemaker for Lou and the children. She was also her husband’s office manager, working from home and as needed in the offices. Mary Lou’s passion was foremost her family. She also enjoyed singing in several Sweet Adeline choruses for over 22 years. Following her retirement as a lead with the Sweet Adelines in 2002, she sang soprano in the St. Thomas Church Choir in West Spfld., When wintering in FL, she joined the choir at Our Lady Star of the Sea in New Smyrna Beach. Her hobbies were reading, playing bridge, and following the stock market. The family would like to thank Dr. Armen Asik and Dr. Claudia Koppelman for their guidance and comfort during the years of Mary Lou’s journey through myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPN) and esophageal cancer. The wake will be Saturday, Nov. 16, from 9-10:30 am at the TOOMEY-O’BRIEN FUNERAL HOME, 1043 Westfield Street, West Spfld., followed by an 11 am Funeral Mass at St. Thomas the Apostle Church. Burial will be at St. Thomas Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations in Mary Lou’s name may be made to MPN Research Foundation, 180 N. Michigan Avenue, Suite 1870, Chicago, IL 60601. For more information, please visit www.toomeyobrien.com .