Mary Lou Terwilliger

Mary Lou (Potts) Terwilliger, 86, a beloved Mom, Nana, Sister and friend, passed away peacefully at home on November 30, 2024 with her loving daughters by her side.

Born on October 28, 1938, Mary Lou lived a full life surrounded by family. She was raised in Keyport, New Jersey as one of 10 children, and remained in Keyport to raise her own family. Once her children were grown, she moved to Florida for many years, but ultimately she came back to New Jersey for the remainder of her life.

Mary Lou enjoyed many things, among them being crossword puzzles, watching classic tv shows, listening to music (especially Frank Sinatra), cheering on the Yankees and Giants and above all, her family!

She was happiest in moment shared with the vibrant family she was born into, and the beautiful family of her own that she created. Mary Lou always reveled in lunch with her siblings, celebrating the holidays and birthdays, of course! She never missed a birthday, always sending the perfect card, taking great care to underline the best parts most meaningful to her.

Mary Lou is predeceased by her brothers, Ed and Bill Potts and her sisters Hedy and Diane Potts.

Mary Lou is survived by her brothers Jack (Ginny) Potts, Joe (Carol) Potts, Lenny (Millie) Potts, Jimmy Potts, her sister Gladys (Jack) Tarentino and her Sister-In-Law Toosje Potts. She is also survived by her daughters Michele (John) Jansen and Robin (Tony) Smallmon, her grandchildren Chris (Danielle) Jansen, Brian (Quinn) Jansen, Michelle Smallmon. Her great-grandchildren, Gianna, Ava, Lia, Haylee, Olivia and many loving nieces and nephews. Along with her dear friend of many years, Skip Stoppiello.

We want to give a special thanks to Quinn Jansen for taking many photos over the years for us to cherish and extend tremendous gratitude to hospice for helping us on this journey. Through our tears and her pain, Mary Lou kept her smile and quick wit and made us laugh right until the end.

Arrangements were entrusted to Shore Point Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc., 3269 State Highway/Route 35 North, Hazlet, New Jersey 07730.  In respect of her family’s wishes, Mary Lou will be privately cremated.  For information or to send condolences to the family, please visit, www.shorepointfh.com.

Although Mary Lou is gone, she will live in our hearts forever. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to hospice in Mary Lou’s name, or spend time with your loved ones.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Mary Lou Terwilliger, please visit our floral store.