‘Love You Much’: The Goudy family lineage would not be the same without the matriarch that is Mary Lou

Life just would not be the same without Mary Lou Goudy. At least, that’s how her husband, children, siblings and many other people feel.

Mary Lou is a protector, a provider and a confidant. If she tells you she will do something, you better believe she is going to do it.

At the same time, if you need her for anything, she will always be in your corner. Don’t believe us? Just ask Mary Lou’s sister Caw, whom she is very close to.

Of course, Mary Lou is very close to her husband and three children as well. She would do anything and everything for them, and she has consistently proven this throughout the years.

If you did not know any better, you would assume Mary Lou’s real middle name is “Selfless,” and that is because that is exactly what she is.

“She is very loving and would do anything for people she knows are in need,” her son John said. “She made us the people we are today, both my two sisters and myself. She loves all of her grandkids very much – Avery, JD, Addy, Sophie, Jack and Reagan. She loves to see her grandkids as much as possible, but of course needs breaks too. She loves family dinners and get-togethers.”

If Mary Lou is around her family, she is in her happy place. She loves them all so much, and she loves to have cookouts and play games with them.

She also loves being a role model to her kids and grandkids, whether she realizes it or not. Mary Lou is one of the only people her children can collectively rely upon, and they are truly grateful for this fact.

“My mom is the strongest woman I know,” Mary Lou’s daughter Kristen exclaimed. “She is the matriarch of the family who keeps the family together.”

Mary Lou keeps the family in line, and she is definitely the glue that holds them as close together as they are. Making the family the most important thing is a priority for Mary Lou, and it is something she has always harped upon.

She has passed many other morals and values down to her children as well, including how to treat others right, how to be great parents in their own right and how to be great partners to their spouses.

None of Mary Lou’s children can imagine having a wiser, more loving and compassionate mother than her, and they are super grateful for all she has done and will continue to do for them.

“‘If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all,’” her daughter Carrie said. “This is something Mom always taught us, which is also known as MYOB.”

“It’s hard to imagine a better mom is out there,” John added. “Through the ups and downs of growing up, she has always been the rock of the family. She brings people together; she helps whenever she can. She just wants to see everyone have a smile on their face and do well in life.”

As long as other people are happy, Mary Lou is happy.

She is also happy when she gets some alone time as well, although she prefers family time that much more.

“She likes to relax in a pool with a glass of wine,” John said. “She enjoys seeing her grandkids play sports. She likes to have lunch with friends, especially with Mary Beth Foster.”

Whether she is attending her grandchildren’s sporting events or spending quality one-on-one time with her husband, every moment with Mary Lou is special. She has made lots of memories with her closest loved ones, and they all love reflecting on them.

”What are my favorite memories? Just the many laughs we have at different events or family get-togethers,” Carrie said. “We like to bring up old stories and laugh about them.”

Along with the memories have come many invaluable lessons along the way, and they are all lessons Mary Lou’s family appreciate.

“She showed my sisters and I how to become great people one, and great parents second,” John said. “She still tells us her opinion on things all these years later.”

Mary Lou is not afraid to express herself or tell it like it is either, and that is yet another thing people admire about her. People love that she stays true to herself and stands on her word, and they love her genuineness.

As a whole, Mary Lou is one of a kind. She is a really good person who is selfless and family oriented, and anyone who knows her knows how lucky they are to have her in their life.

“Thank you, Mom, on this Mother’s Day. You have made me, Carrie and Kristen the people we are today. We can’t thank you enough for everything you have done in our lives and continue to do. You are truly a great person, and a great Mom and Grandmom. Our whole family wants to say thank you for being you and making us better people. Love you much.” – John