HORNELL-Mary Lou Markham, 88, of 83 Platt St., Hornell, died unexpectedly Saturday afternoon (May 27, 2023) at St. James Hospital where she was taken after being stricken at home.
Born in Hornell on June 4, 1934, she was the daughter of Francis & Josephine (Ely) Markham and the step-daughter of Dorothy Roe Markham.
Mary Lou grew up in Hornell and was a graduate of Hornell High School (class of 1953). She was employed for 22 years in many capacities at the former Corbin Wood Products in Hornell. When Corbin’s Wood Products closed its doors in 1976, Mary Lou made the decision to become a hairdresser and beautician. In 1977 she enrolled in Beautician School in Olean and became a licensed beautician. For over 40 years she owned & operated Mary Lou’s Hair Salon in Hornell.
She was a member of Our Lady of the Valley Parish and a communicant of St. Ann’s Church. She enjoyed spending time in the kitchen cooking & baking. She also loved working outside in her garden raising tomato plants and beautiful flowers. Mary Lou enjoyed sports and in her younger years enjoyed bowling.
In addition to her parents and step-mother, Mary Lou was preceded in death by her sisters, Sandra Ray (died 2007) and Loretta Markham (died 2016); her nephew, John Ray (died 2023) her longtime companion, John “Jack” Generalli (died 2021).
Surviving are her nieces & nephews, Robert “Bobby” (Terri) Ray, Joe (Colleen) Ray, Lisa Stubbs and Lynn (Tony) Jones; several great-nieces and great-nephews.
At Mary Lou’s request there will be no calling hours. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday at 10:00 AM at St. Ann’s Church with burial in St. Mary’s Cemetery.
Funeral arrangements are in care of the Dagon Funeral Home, 38 Church St., Hornell, NY.
Mary Lou’s family request that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in her name be made to either the Hornell Humane Society, 7649 Industrial Park Road, Hornell, NY 14843 or to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, 501 St. Jude Pl., Memphis, TN 38105.
To leave an online condolence or share a memory, visit www.dagonfuneralhome.com.
