Mary Loucille [Pottorff] Lewarton Obit

Mary Loucille Lewarton passed away Sunday, June 4, 2006, at the age of 80. 'Lou' to her family and friends, she died peacefully and surrounded with love in her Arroyo Grande home, after dealing with her illness with dignity.

A memorial celebration for both Lou and Al will be held at their home on Saturday, June 17th, between 2:00 and 6:00 p.m. Formal activities will take place at 3:00. Their friends are welcome to join the family in sharing remembrances. Cremation has taken place, with interment at a later date at Greenlawn South in Bakersfield.

She was born August 20, 1925, in Commerce, Oklahoma to J. Earl and Mary Hughes Pottorff. In 1939, Lou moved with her family to Arizona, first to Phoenix, then to Tucson, where she graduated from Tucson High School in 1943. Her family moved to Huntington Park that summer. Lou worked for a few years selling ladiesÕ shoes and fashions in downtown L.A. and Long Beach, being promoted to buyer and manager for the shops. In October, 1946, she met Alvin P. Lewarton on a blind date and they were married June 15, 1947. Their union was blessed with three children. When Al was recalled into the Army during the Korean War, Al and Lou moved to the Central Coast, where he was chief dental clinician at Camp Cook and later at Camp San Luis. At the end of the war, the Lewartons moved to Bakersfield, where Al practiced dentistry and they raised their children for the next 25 years.

Lou was active in many organizations there, serving as President of the LadiesÕ Auxillary for the Kern County Dental Society, the Women's Association of Stockdale Country Club, and the Women's Club of Bakersfield. She was very involved in her childrens activities serving as a Blue Bird leader, hauling horses, and lambs to shows, and assisting Al and her sons with their Junior Baseball Assoc., golf, and Special Olympics activities. As a seamstress, she was an artist and she had a magic touch in her gardens. Lou had a good eye for antiques, especially art glass, and she was passionate about golf. Lou was always the competitor and loved to be with her husband or friends on the golf course. Her love of the ocean brought them back to the Central Coast in 1978, first at Rincon Point, then Shell Beach and finally Arroyo Grande. She belonged to both Avila Beach and Morro Bay WomenÕs Golf Associations. Many of their vacations centered on their love of golf, taking them to courses in Europe, Canada, Mexico and around the United States. Al and Lou celebrated their 25th anniversary at the U.S. Open held that year in Pebble Beach. She only stopped playing golf in 2004, when the health concerns of her husband and son-in-law made her Òcaregiver extraordinaire.'

Lou is survived by her daughter, Lynnette Storrs of Arroyo Grande; son, Larry Lewarton; and grandchildren, Robin and Patrick and their mother, Sandy, of Breckenridge, Colorado; daughter-in-law, Diane Lewarton of Rohnert Park; and grandson, Owen Lewarton of Bakersfield. She was preceded in death by her son, Paul David Lewarton, in 2002; and her husband, Al, two months ago, on April 3, 2006.

Lou faced all her challenges in life with courage and love, believing that one just dealt with things to the best of their ability. And she did that in a positive manner, with blue eyes sparkling, a loving smile, and selfless dedication to her family. The beauty of her spirit will be remembered by all who knew her, including her sisters-in-law in Arizona, Winnie Eagle Pottorff and Betty Hopkins Pottorff and her nieces and nephews, Joey Tanner Barbee, Diana Williams, Jon Heiskell, Mark Pottorff, and Marilyn Consolver, all of Arizona, and Sharon Daniels Sullivan of Massachusetts.

Any gifts may be made to Hospice Partners of the Central Coast, the Literacy Council of SLO, or an organization of your choice.

Arrangements are under the direction of Lady Family Mortuary and Crematory of Arroyo Grande.

Lady Family Mortuary
(805) 489-4717