Mary Lou Fortney

With heavy hearts and more than a few cherished family recipes, we announce the passing of our beloved matriarch, Mary Lou Fortney, at the age of 93.997. Born in Grand Rapids, Ohio, to Cleo and Margaret (Lakner) Heising on April 23, 1932, she passed peacefully on April 22, 2026.

Lovingly referred to as Mom, Grandma, Great Grandma, Grandma Cookie, sister, friend & Aunt Mary Lou, she was the heart, cornerstone, and true humanitarian of the family whose strength, warmth, and unwavering love shaped generations. As a mother of five, she would often say she went through a gallon of milk and a cake a day.

Mary Lou was devoted to creating a home filled with laughter, comfort, gentle advice and an open table. Her commitment to her family also reflected in her work life. She simultaneously worked at the Clevite/Tenneco Factory in Napoleon OH and Lion Store at Southwyck Mall for well over 2 decades; she then retired only to work part-time at The Pharm Drug Store. Mary Lou lovingly volunteered at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Maumee. She frequented Meijer’s almost daily to make something for someone else. She gracefully upheld her family and collected lifelong friends throughout her life.

She found joy in life’s simple pleasures: gathering around the table for cards, games, camping, volunteering, sharing stories and, most of all, gathering with family and friends. If you were hungry, she fed you. If you weren’t hungry, she fed you anyway. Her oven was always on, her fridge stocked, her cookie jar was never empty for long, and her definition of “a little snack” could easily feed a small crowd.

Mary Lou’s sense of humor was as legendary as her cooking. She could deliver a perfectly timed remark, a playful jab, or a look that said everything without a word. She lived a life rooted in generosity, resilience, and love; her life leaves behind a legacy far greater than words can capture across multiple generations and friend groups.

Her faithfulness, her appreciation for God’s beauty, her passion for travel and her memories will live on in the traditions she built, the meals she shared, and the love she gave so freely. While we will all miss her deeply, we know that every family gathering, card game, and overfilled plate will carry her spirit forward. In her honor, we ask that you eat a little more than you should, laugh a little louder, and never let anyone leave your home without a hug.

Mary Lou is survived by her children, Michael (Holli) Fortney, Margaret “Peg” Bucksky, Steve (Alice) Fortney, her daughter-in-law, Pam Fortney; 12 adoring grandchildren and 23 beautiful great grandchildren. She is also survived by her siblings Catherine (Bob) Nix, and Pat Heising, sister-in-law Barbara Heising, along with numerous nieces and nephews. She was proceeded in death by her two eldest sons; Ken Fortney and Roger Fortney; her siblings- James Heising, John Heising, Anna Mae Williams, and Dolores Miller along with her parents, and Mary Lou was a member of Saint Joseph Catholic Church in Maumee and the Towne Club.

The family will receive guests Wednesday, April 29, 2026 from 3:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. at Newcomer SW Chapel (419-381-1900), 4752 Heatherdowns Blvd. Toledo, OH 43614. The Funeral Mass will be held Thursday, April 30, 2026 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 104 West Broadway Street, Maumee, OH 43537. Interment will be at St. Patrick Catholic Cemetery, 12675 Anthony Wayne Trail Grand Rapids, OH.

Memorial donations may be made to Saint Joseph Catholic Church Maumee Ohio and Hospice of Northwest Ohio in her memory.