Mary Lou Dehmer

Mary Lou Dehmer, 87, of Charleston, South Carolina, widow of Paul Allen Dehmer, died Friday, August 10, 2012. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Tuesday, August 14, 2012 at 11:00 am at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Goose Creek, where she attended church for many years. The family will receive friends following the service in the Narthex. Prayers of Final Commendation and Farewell will be held in Holy Cross Cemetery at 1:00 pm, James Island, SC. Mrs. Dehmer was born in South Bend, Indiana on Nov 25, 1924. After marriage she moved to the New York metropolitan area, then lived in Huest and Pont-Saint-Vincent, France; Fayetteville, NC; and Charleston, SC. For the past year and a half she lived with her son, Alan Dehmer, in Chapel Hill, NC. She was a wife, homemaker, and beloved mother to her five children, whom she adored. She died surrounded by her children and several of their spouses and children.She is predeceased by her father, Anselm Burkart, and mother, Helen Janowski Burkart, and her husband, Paul Allen Dehmer, a retired Air Force major. She is survived by her children, Paul Arthur Dehmer (Sandy), of Auburn, WA; Mary Dehmer, of Wilmington, NC; Alan Dehmer (Beth), of Chapel Hill, NC; Margaret Peg Dehmer, of Frisco, Colorado; and Christopher Dehmer (Claire), of Atlanta, GA; her sister, Helen Jo Butterworth of Universal City, TX; and her twin, John Burkhart of South Bend, IN. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Tom Dehmer of Dallas, TX; Christina Krill of Seattle, WA; Dan Townsend of High Point, NC; Jennifer Larkin, of Denver, CO; Michael Townsend of Atlanta, GA; Robert Townsend, of Wilmington, NC; Noah Dehmer, of Chapel Hill, NC; Zo? Dehmer, of Richmond, VA; and by 11 great-grandchildren. Mary Lou Dehmer was a devoted cook, an avid reader, and a friend to many in the neighborhoods where she lived. In Charleston, she nursed her husband for seven years as he dealt with emphysema, and enjoyed taking long walks every morning with her friend and neighbor at the Elms, Libby Winstead. She will be remembered for her unwavering sweetness to everyone she encountered, and the deep love she held for her children.Mary Lou's family thanks the staff of UNC Hospice and the many hospice volunteers who came to the Dehmer home to care for Mary Lou and provide support to the family over the past seven months. We also thank Esther Mutuku, who cared for her with skill and love. Arrangements by J. Henry Stuhr, Inc., Northwoods Chapel.