Mary Lou Faust

Mary Lou Dunlay Faust died peacefully in her home on May 23, 2026, at the age of 89.

Born on December 11, 1936, in Waverly, New York, Mary Lou was the eldest child of Mary and Lou Dunlay, hence her name. She lived a life centered around family, friendship, faith, and community, and leaves behind generations who loved her deeply.

At Garden City High School, Mary Lou excelled academically, graduating near the top of her class. Unbeknownst to many, she was an avid baton twirler and served as head drum majorette her senior year. It was during those years that she met Jim Faust, who would become her husband. Their first date was the senior prom, and they remained together from that time forward.

Mary Lou graduated from the College of Mount Saint Vincent in 1958 with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and became a registered nurse in New York City. She often chose shifts in the Emergency Room so she could earn extra money for the nest egg she and Jim were building.

Mary Lou and Jim were married on July 24, 1960, while he was in medical school. From the beginning, they built their life together as a team, starting their family and supporting one another through the early years of his training.

They moved several times as Jim’s career developed, living in places including Philadelphia, Harrisburg, and Cheyenne before eventually settling in Gardner, Massachusetts. Gardner became the place where they put down roots, raised their family, and built a circle of friendships and community ties that remained central to their lives.

Mary Lou was the heart of the home—steady, loving, and firm in the expectations she set, shaping their children and grandchildren in lasting ways. She gave their family a sense of stability, fun, and belonging that stayed with them. To her grandchildren, she was “Beeze,” a name that became part of everyday family life. During the years she was raising her children, their home was often a welcoming place for others as well, where there was always space for snacks, conversation, and help with homework after school and sports.

Mary Lou loved reading from a very young age, a habit encouraged by her father, who often brought her books from his travels. She carried that love throughout her life and passed it on to her children and grandchildren. At Christmas, she gave each of them a book, often having read it beforehand so she could share it with them—a tradition that kept books and reading woven through family life.

Family summers became an important rhythm in their lives, first at Lake Monomonac, later over many years at Basin Harbor Club in Vermont, and eventually at the lake house Jim and Mary Lou built on Sunset Lake. Mary Lou’s brother and his family often joined them, where generations gathered over the years, and lasting memories were made.

Mary Lou’s generous spirit forged friendships that she kept for decades. Through tennis, golf, bridge club, the “Buns Club,” church, and community life, she had many deep and lasting friendships. She and Jim also shared a love of travel and spent many years traveling the world with close friends Paul and Cathy Harasimowicz.

Faith was central to Mary Lou’s life. She was a devoted Catholic and served as a lector at Sacred Heart Parish in Gardner for more than 25 years. She also taught CCD for many years and helped run the St. Vincent de Paul Society. Over the years, she also supported the Gardner Visiting Nurses Association, Gardner Library Association, Gardner Museum, Heywood Hospital Aid Association, and Sacred Heart Parish School Board. In 2002, she and Jim were awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Gardner Chamber of Commerce.

She is survived by her husband, James A. Faust, Sr.; her children, Kathleen Manning (Christopher Manning), James Faust, Jr. (Lisa Faust), Maureen (Molly) Faust, (Kevin Egan), and Raymond Faust (Katharine Faust); and her grandchildren, Margaret Manning, Rachel Manning, Grace Manning, Brian Faust (Brianna Faust), Patrick Faust, William Faust, and Christopher Faust. She was predeceased by her grandson, Adam Faust.

She is also survived by her brother, Louis Dunlay, Jr. (Carol Dunlay), and nephews Louis Dunlay, III, Matthew Dunlay, and Bradford Dunlay (Sarah Dunlay).

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Mary Lou’s memory to the Levi Heywood Memorial Library, 55 W. Lynde St., Gardner, MA 01440, or the Gardner Visiting Nurses Association, 34 Pearly Lane, Gardner, MA 01440.

Calling hours will be held on Sunday, May 31, from 2–5 p.m. at Mack Family Funeral Homes – Gardner Chapel. Funeral services will be held on Monday, June 1, at 11:30 a.m. at Holy Rosary Church, with a reception following at 1:00 p.m. at the Colonial Hotel.

Arrangements are under the care of Mack Family Funeral Homes – Gardner Chapel, 105 Central Street, Gardner, Massachusetts.