Mary Ellen Lovata (nee Gretzer), 92, passed away at home in Glen Carbon, IL on Sunday, November 15, 2020. She was born on October 1, 1928, in St. Louis, MO.

Mary graduated from Harris Teacher's College, where she met Bill, the love of her life. After beginning a family, they moved to Columbia, Missouri, where she earned a Masters Degree + 30 in Education and Library Science from Mizzou. When they moved back to STL, she was able to combine her passion for children, education, and books as the librarian at Hazlewood Junior High School, and loved helping children navigate those difficult years.

Mary adored spending time with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, and was very proud of them. After retiring, Mary enjoyed participating in events at the Senior Center. Mary always appreciated the outdoors ─ camping in her younger years, and more recently, walking the dogs at area parks. She credited her long life with plenty of fresh air, so if the sun was shining, she was working in her yard.

She was preceded in death by her loving husband, William M. Lovata Jr., her parents, Walter W. and Margaret E. Gretzer (nee Powers), and her sister, M. June Fitzgerald.

Mary is survived by her daughters, Linda Marie Rutz and Mary Christine Walter, her grandchildren, Jessica (Dan) Puls, Caressa (Caleb) Hulse, Maranda (Neal) Giebler, six great-grandchildren, and nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that memorial donations be made out to The Gardens at SIUE, 6 Arboretum Ln., Edwardsville, IL 62025, or the Main Street Community Center, 1003 N Main St., Edwardsville, IL 62025.

Mary will be buried with her husband at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery at a later date.