Mary Lou DeCosta returned to her heavenly home from McClure Miller Respite House in Colchester, Vermont on May 14, 2024 after an extended illness. She was 64.

Born Mary Lou Authelet in Foxborough, Massachusetts, she was raised with her three sisters and graduated from Foxborough High School in 1977. While in high school, she spent a year in Bolivia on an exchange program sponsored by the local Rotary Club. She became fluent in Spanish as a result of the experience.

Mary Lou attended the University of Massachusetts Lowell and later enlisted into the United States Army. Using her bilingual skills, she was a valued language expert from 1979 until 1982 when she was honorably discharged.

After the military, Mary Lou relocated to Colchester, Vermont and became a nurse through the Fanny Allen School for Practical Nursing. She nursed prisoners through the local corrections department and in 2006 was named Vermont Prison Health Services Employee of the Year. Later Mary Lou worked as a nurse in a number of local institutions and as a home health care nurse.

Mary Lou enjoyed a long relationship with Malletts Bay Congregational Church UCC in Colchester. Mary Lou made a lifelong commitment to the church and the community. She served as moderator and published the weekly "Blast!" that kept members and others informed about upcoming church activities. She also provided periodic pulpit supply and served as Chair of the Mission Board. MaryLou also administered the UCC Vermont Conference Summer Lunch Grant Program.

Mary Lou was acutely aware of food insecurity, especially during the summer months. Mary Lou galvanized the community to form the Colchester Summer Lunch program which ran for nineteen years under her direction and ended with the pandemic. In 2002 she was awarded the United Way Hometown Hero Award for this work. In 2007 she received the Governor's Award for Excellence in Community Service.

In addition to her church family and dear friends Grace Cleary and Joyce Wetherbee, Mary Lou is survived by daughter Elaine Day of DeFuniak Springs, Florida and sisters Lynne Sarikas and husband George of Norfolk, Massachusetts; Jayne Siteman and husband Bob of North Attleborough, Massachusetts; Laurie Risler and husband Brian of Westfield, Massachusetts. She was predeceased by son David and parents Margery (McKay) and John (Jack) Authelet of Foxborough, Massachusetts.

Despite many challenges, Mary Lou recently told a friend, "I've had a wonderful life." Please join us in celebrating that life. Services will be held at Malletts Bay Congregational Church UCC in Colchester, VT on Saturday, June 22 at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, please honor Mary Lou's commitment to fighting community hunger by donating to the successor organization to Colchester Summer Lunch Program. Address your donation to The Mission Fund, Malletts Bay Congregational Church UCC, P. O. Box 157, Colchester, VT 05446. Arrangements are in care of LaVigne Funeral & Cremation Service, Winooski, VT.