Mary Lou Hess 81 of Richmond died May 5, 2024, at Forest Park Health Campus. She was born June 7, 1942, in Oxford, Ohio to Jack and Marjory Godfrey Hess and lived in Cincinnati and Richmond most of her life. She graduated from Miami University with a Master of Education Degree in Education and retired from the Cincinnati School District. She also worked for Kroger and as a real estate agent.

Mary Lou volunteered at Hayes Arboretum, and Cincinnati Zoo, and was a member of the Loyal Order of the Eastern Star. She was a licensed airplane pilot and a long-time participant in musket-loading tournaments. She enjoyed photography and had photos published in different magazines including National Geographic One hobby she enjoyed was painting, creating many pictures. She loved gardening and hiking and had traveled to many places worldwide.

Mary Lou is survived by three sisters Kathy (Chris) Bourne, Lynn Hess, and Sue (Fred) Austerman, nieces and nephews, and great nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents, grandparents, many aunts and uncles, her brother Jack Hess Jr, her sister Betty Stewart, a nephew Steven Hess, and very beloved fur babies.

Funeral services will be at 1:00 P.M. Wednesday, May 15, 2024, at Stegall-Berheide-Orr Funeral Home with burial in Elkhorn Cemetery. Friends may call from 12:00 P.M. to 1:00 P.M. Wednesday at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be given to Hayes Arboretum 801 Elks Road Richmond, Indiana 47374. Online condolences may be shared with the family via the guest book at stegallberheideorr.com.