Mary Lou Baugh (nee Byrge)

The life of the party is now in heaven. How does one define a life that has been lived so fully and completely? For someone that made an impact on every person she met? Mary Lou Baugh was the ray of sunshine in every room she was in. Born in Caryville, TN during the depression in 1935, her life experience was enough to make anyone bitter, but not Mary Lou. Sharing typical details of her life, like the husbands she outlived or the difficult jobs she worked to raise her three children seems too basic for someone so magnificent. Those were only things she did in life and not who she was on this earth.

She never knew a stranger. Her smile and laugh were infectious. A constant jokester and a kid at heart, you couldn’t take her to a restaurant without her shooting straw wrapper rockets at you and sometimes landing at other tables. A skill she taught to her great-grandson, Owen. Every baby and child she met was an honorary grandkid. Showered with love, joy, and spoils. Only ever wanting a smile or hug in return.

She also had a hand in spreading her unique spunk to her granddaughters after spending summers at her house in Loveland, OH. Sharing her love of animals and teaching them to be loving and kind, just like her.

Known for her incredible country style cooking, she preferred to share her love with so many people by filling their bellies. Often receiving compliments for her food years after people had eaten her meals. Beaming with pride from every smiling mouthful, head-shake, and mmm-mm.

The only thing that could measure up to Mary Lou’s beauty was her flower garden. Her flowers were a great source of pride and enjoyment. Something beautiful she worked so hard to create, much like her own life. She taught us that your garden blooms best when you tend to it, an amazing metaphor for life.

If a life is measured by the kindness you share with others, Mary Lou’s was the epitome of that. She loved her three children in each of their unique ways. Her oldest, Tammy Ulreich grew into a  strong, independent woman. Her youngest, Robert Turner understood what it meant to be loved and giving. Her middle child, Patty Simonds knew what it meant to be courageous and adventurous. All three a reflection of the woman they called “mom”.

She found immense love in the last three years with her English Setters Jess, Josie, and Jasper, along with the many foster dogs she shared a home with in North Barrington, IL. Often spoiling them by sneaking food from her plate and getting spoiled back with lap naps.

An obituary for this amazing woman doesn’t seem sufficient to describe all that she was to everyone she encountered, only a book could do that. Her leaving this earth feels like the sun is a little dimmer with her beaming rays gone. Yet, she will live on in the hearts and memories of everyone she encountered.

She is survived by her 3 children Tammy (Rick) Ulreich, Robert (Lisa) Turner, and Patty (Alan) Simonds who cared for her the last 3 years in Barrington, IL. Her grandchildren Michelle (Tim) Wier, Jennifer (Dave) Keivel, Kelly Ulreich, Melissa (Randy) Specht, and Brittany Smith. Her great-grandchildren Owen (from Jennifer), Kaitlyn, Camille, Kaley, Alea, Randy (from Melissa), Kya, JJ, Quintin, Addie, and Jak (from Brittany). One sister Millie Carroll, several nieces and nephews who all loved her dearly, and her two special dogs Jess and Josie.

She was preceded in death by the love of her life, husband Robert Baugh, along with her parents, and 13 brothers and sisters.

A  private memorial service will be held at a later date to be determined.