Mary Lou Hitt Craft Anderson

Mary Lou Hitt Craft Anderson passed away at her home in Westwood, Kansas on November 22, 2009. She went peacefully in her sleep with her family all around her.

Mary Lou was born on September 18, 1931 in Cape Girardeau, Missouri to Weldon and Wanda Hitt. She was the only child born to Weldon and Wanda. She has so much fun growing up in Cape Girardeau with her many cousins and friends. She was married to Bob Craft and they had one child, Michael Gene Craft, who resides in Cape Girardeau. Mike is an amazing man who has had many accomplishments off and on the race track. He is a joy to all who know him and his mother was so very proud of the way he has led his life. In 1961, she married Bill Anderson. Bill was the great love of her life. She spent every day after she met him making him happy and showing him how much she loved him. She enjoyed everything they did together: traveling to Florida and Omaha, watching theatre, or just sitting quietly at home. Bill passed away July 3, 2006 and Mary Lou missed him every day.

She and Bill had twin daughters in 1965. They were born prematurely and only one survived. Karen Stephanie Anderson passed away on November 21, 1965. Her sister, Kimberly Susan Anderson Carter, lives in Westwood with her family: husband Clinton, sons, Keaton and Collin, and daughter, Kennedy. She leaves a great-grandson, Aiden Wyatt Carter, 18 months, of Shawnee, Kansas, son of Keaton Carter and Kayla Catron.

Mary Lou loved to work in the library at Westwood View when her daughter attended there from 1971-1978. She also helped a lot in the theatre department at Old Mission Junior High. One of her favorite pastimes was to watch live theatre. It didn't matter if it was her daughter, grandchildren, or professional actors, any performance thrilled her. She also did volunteer work at KU Medical Center in 1970s and 1980s. She enjoyed her work there transporting patients and spending time with them. Mary Lou also had a soft spot for animals. She rescued many birds, bunnies, squirrels and dogs. She always felt sorry for sick, orphaned animals. Mary Lou also enjoyed anything that had to with her grandchildren. She loved just spending time with them, telling elaborate storied, watching videos, playing with dinosaurs, making up pretend adventures and most of all being so proud of them.

Mary Lou's greatest attribute was her love for people and her ability to make each person she met feel comfortable and better about themselves. Many people described Mary Lou as an angel. Mary Lou loved to lift up all people and help them see the very best in themselves. She gave her family unconditional love and encouragement and they all knew how important they were to her. They all hope she knew what a special person she was and how she touched the lives of so many people.

Donations made to St. Luke's Hospice, 3100 Broadway, Suite 1000, Kansas City, Missouri 64111.

Services

There will be no funeral service as this is what Mary Lou wanted. Mary Lou was not fond of funerals but would like those she has left behind to cherish her memory by loving each other and giving unconditional love to those around us.