Mary Louise (Fletcher) Pitts

Mary Louise (Fletcher) Pitts, of Scituate, MA passed away peacefully at home, July 30, 2020, with her adoring and grateful family by her side. To the very end, her grace and humility blessed those who loved her, with ‘family’ and ‘love’ the constant themes that connected the many chapters of her wonderful life.

Mary Lou was born in White Plains, NY on July 9, 1933, the daughter of Saxton Woodbury Fletcher and Louise (Kitchell) Fletcher, and “baby sister” to older siblings, Saxton, Alice and William. The family spent every summer together in Scituate MA, where Mary Lou enjoyed “perfect” days at the beach, Scituate Harbor Yacht Club and Scituate Country Club, deciding that this was the place where she wanted to build her life and home.  It was at the golf course, at age 16, that Mary Lou met her husband Fordie, then the 19-year old golf professional who was giving lessons to her mother, Louise. Dad later joked that he knew immediately upon seeing Mary Lou, that he wasn’t going to make any money teaching her golf.  Their 52 years of marriage together were filled with love and dedication as they shared their passion for golf, their family and each other until Fordie passed in 2009.

Mary Lou left New York to attend Dana Hall in Wellesley in 1949 where after graduation, she went to Bradford Junior College to pursue her passion for music graduating in 1954.  Music was an instrumental part of her life as Mary Lou had a beautiful singing voice and was a classically trained pianist.  She loved to dance and play the guitar, and appreciated the musical talents of her extended family throughout her life.

In addition to raising and caring for her five children, Mary Lou focused on what mattered most; instilling in her children the values of gratitude, love, kindness and respect.  We have no idea how she also found the time to sew, knit, embroider and give guitar lessons in the early years.  In addition to her community involvement in the Scituate schools, Mary Lou worked tirelessly running the many family businesses that she and Fordie owned.  With her work ethic, strength and selflessness, she was a role model and inspiration to so many. 

Mary Lou was a beloved member of the Scituate Country Club where she played on the women’s 18-hole golf team for many years helping the team secure South Shore League Championships as well as winning several Club Championships of her own.  She and Karen were also victorious in the 1991 Massachusetts State Mother-Daughter Championship. 

Mary Lou treasured and embraced every moment with her family and friends.  She enjoyed playing cards:  Bridge, Gin Rummy and of course, Poker with her close knit friends.  For such a sweet angelic person, when it came to cards, Mary Lou had a competitive spirit.  She was an avid supporter of many Scituate establishments, enjoying countless breakfasts at Sam’s and lunches and dinners at the Satuit Tavern, the Mill Wharf, and SCC which included her signature cocktail, “Stoli Cape Codder, no fruit”.  

Most of all, Mary Lou cared deeply about others.  When you were with her, she was always present and truly listened.   Her family and friends will remember and cherish her compassion, her generosity, her humility, her loyalty, her unconditional love and her grace.  Through her positive example and actions, her legacy will live on in these two simple words,  “kindness matters”. 

Mary Lou will be rejoining her late husband Fordie H. Pitts Jr, and will be watching over her family from above as “our angel”.  She was the loving mother of Lorraine Johnson and Martin Warren of Hampton, NH, Mary Lou and Stephen Bohn of Scituate, MA, Karen Pitts and Chris Cunniff of Milton, MA, Fordie and Shari Pitts of Bridgewater MA, Corinne and Michael Norton of Pembroke, MA, along with 10 grandchildren, a great-grandchild, cherished sister in-laws Lorraine Young, Verdella Fletcher, brother-in-laws Jarvis Freymann and Kenneth Pitts, as well as many dear friends that made her life complete.

The entire Pitts family would like to thank Karen Saunders (and husband Jeff) for their compassionate care and friendship over the past 3 years, and to all the other amazing caregivers, nurses and friends who brought joy and happiness to Mary Lou. She felt blessed and lucky to have such wonderful support.  

A memorial service will be held at 10 AM on Wednesday, August 12, 2020 at The First Trinitarian Congregational Church at 381 Country Way in Scituate in the Memorial Garden with outdoor and indoor seating.  The family will also stream the service “live” for those who are unable to attend and wish to view it remotely at https://www.facebook.com/FTCCScituate/

In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Mary Lou may be made to St. Jude’s hospital or if there is another charity dear to your heart.

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