Obituary of Mary Lou Dietrich

DIETRICH, Mary Lou (Gallivan), passed away on December 31, 2024, devoted wife of the late Robert P. Dietrich, treasured mother of Beth (Stephen) Monaco, David (Valerie) Dietrich, Daniel Dietrich and Kevin Dietrich, loving “Mimi” and “Lulu” of Jacob, Joshua, and Cameron Monaco, Amanda and Dylan Dietrich, Evelyn and Ruby Dietrich, daughter of the late Raymond and Catherine (Herlihy) Gallivan, cherished sister of the late Paul (late Alice) Gallivan, late Robert (Nan) Gallivan, Donald (late Sheila) Gallivan, late Richard (Sally) Gallivan, Rev. Msgr. David Gallivan, Kathryn (James) Kelley and Kevin (Ginna) Gallivan, also survived by many caring nieces, nephews, cousins, dear friends, and her loving caregiver Gabrielle Guilford. Friends and family may call on Wednesday Jan. 8th from 2-8:00 pm at the JAMES W. CANNAN FUNERAL HOME, INC., 3155 Orchard Park Road in Orchard Park (716) 675-9027. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday at 10:15 am at Queen of Heaven Church (please assemble at church). The interment will follow the Mass at Holy Cross Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Thomas E. Starzl Transplantation Institute or West Seneca Community Food Pantry. Mary Lou~I think they broke the mold after she was born…there could not be another like her… She was a force of nature-#5 in a family of 8 siblings, with 4 older brothers. She was strong-willed and stubborn, standing her ground in her determination to bring solutions and answers to so many who had come to her, in need of support, be it in clothing, housing, food or counseling. In many ways, she was ‘the fixer’ - not refusing anyone’s request for guidance - the taskmaster, for whom the corporal works of mercy were a way of life… In her many years of both leadership and service at St. Bonaventure Parish, she was a member of the Parish Council, Director of the CYO, member of the Funeral Ministry, even creating an allotted space for families to gather for breakfast after their family funeral, and a Eucharistic Minister. Mary Lou was instrumental in assembling Lenten Journey, an interdenominational faith connection among the churches in West Seneca. She promoted the Crop Walk, to bring attention to the hungry in our community. She founded the West Seneca Food Pantry, probably the most visible of her community passions, and the most endearing to her, over 45 years ago… it continues to provide sustenance to the hundreds of families it serves.. Interspersed with all these acts of giving, Mary Lou launched a drive to collect shoes for earthquake victims in Central America, posting flyers in storefronts in Southgate Plaza; collected blankets to deliver to homeless shelters, and diapers for needy families. She periodically dropped goody bags on the doorsteps of neighbors. Mary Lou loved her town of West Seneca. Town Board meetings often found her pressuring them to make the town safer for its citizens, insisting on a turning light at the intersection of Harlem and Seneca, or requesting a barrier at the gas station there to prevent cars from cutting through.. she pushed for walking paths and basketball courts in the town parks.. She did not leave a stone unturned, if she believed she could make a difference for good…if she did not have the answer, she would locate someone who did. As her own days shortened, and the clouds of her illness were closing in, the setting sun over the expanse of Lake Erie gave her a calm and a solace that no other place could. Being in its presence was her happy place, giving her a great sense of peace. That, along with the beautiful family that she, and her beloved Bob, had created, were the precious rewards for a life well-lived.. Online register book at www.CANNANFH.com