Waite

Mary Louise (Hale) Waite, 81, of Butler, passed away peacefully among dear family and friends Thursday due to complications of pneumonia.

She will be sadly missed by all her family and friends throughout the United States and around the world.

Born in Turtlecreek, Oct. 18, 1930, she was the daughter of Stephen and Mary Shaver Hale, who are deceased. She graduated from Edgewood High School in 1948 and attended Thiel College in Greenville, Pa., until 1949.

That year, she married Paul N. Waite, who had served in the U.S. Army and was attending Allegheny College, Meadville. Paul graduated from Allegheny and then obtained a master's in business administration from the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia.

They returned to Pittsburgh, where Mary Lou worked as a secretary before starting a family.

From 1954 to 1964, Mary Lou and Paul became the parents of six daughters. In addition, Mary Lou worked side by side with her husband, developing restaurant and real estate holdings.

After Paul died in 1981, Mary Lou continued in the restaurant and real estate investments that Paul had started, working with a business partner, William Morrow, of La Quinta, Calif., who also graduated from Allegheny.

An avid golfer, Mary Lou was the first female accepted for a full golf membership at the Butler Country Club, where she played for more than 20 years.

As a partner, she also helped to found The Quarry golf course in La Quinta, Calif., and golf courses in Branson, Mo., and in Doonbeg, Ireland.

Mary Lou was always interested in being a pilot, and she began flying lessons in 1975 at Zelienople, airport and then became an FAA certified flight instructor. She taught flying for over 20 years and piloted many of her family and friends on flying trips and vacations, particularly to Hilton Head, S.C., and Ocala, Fla.

As a member of the 99's Women Pilots organization, started by Amelia Earhart, Mary Lou participated in many air races across the country and even into the Caribbean. A very experienced pilot, she flew several search and rescue missions for Butler's Civil Air Patrol.

Mary Lou also was on the board of trustees of Allegheny College and the National Council of Women in Aviation.

In 1997, she was presented with the Amelia Earhart Award for Pioneering Achievement, Demonstrated Courage, Unusual Talent, and Dedication to Thiel College.

During her lifetime, Mary Lou was very involved in many charitable organizations and causes. She was a member of the Nixon United Methodist Church for more than 30 years. She always found time to volunteer for activities in the church and in her flying organizations.

When her children were-growing up, Mary Lou and all the family spent most of their summers at Conneaut Lake, where they swam, boated, sailed and water-skied. The family still maintains a summer cottage at Conneaut Lake that is enjoyed by the daughters' and grandchildren's families and friends.

Mary Lou was preceded in death by her parents and her only brother, William Hale. One grandchild, Jacob Andrzejewski, passed away in 2006.

She is survived by her husband, Leo Janssens, also a pilot, who she married in 2001. Mary Lou and Leo traveled extensively in their own plane around the U.S. and to Europe for Leo's involvement in the Society of Experimental Test Pilot's conventions.

Mary Lou is survived by her six daughters, Sandi Stupiansky (Nicholas) of Mayville, N.Y., Lesley Andrezjewski (Max) of Pittsburgh, Stephanie Vater (Daniel) of Wexford, Paula Sandherr (James) of Cranberry Township, Aura Cavanaugh of Superior, Colo., and Terry Bilecky (Jeffrey) of Superior, Colo.

She also is survived by Leo's children, Joy Gerogakas (Chris) of Dayton, Ohio, and John Janssens (Brigette) of Perrysburg, Ohio; 21 grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.

<B>WAITE</B> — The family of Mary Louise Waite, who died Thursday, Jan. 5, 2012, will receive visitors from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Sunday at the Nixon United Methodist Church. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Monday at the church with a luncheon to follow.In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Nixon United Methodist Church, 334 Airport Road, Butler, 16002.Contributions will be used for ministry to needy families as well as for other charitable works.Contributions also can be made to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation in honor of her great-granddaughter, Amelia, the Lighthouse Foundation, or the Brother's Brother Foundation.Arrangements are under the direction of the <B>THOMPSON-MILLER FUNERAL HOME</B>, Butler. Information and a private guest book are available at www.thompson-miller.com.