Mary Louise Waldo

Mary L. Waldo of Kalamazoo passed away peacefully on Saturday November 19, 2016 at Friendship Village. Mary was born February 9, 1926 in Kalamazoo, the daughter of Charles and Queena (Veit) Swartout. Mary grew up in Allegan, where her father was a respected country dentist. After graduating from Michigan State University, Mary moved to Grand Rapids and was united in marriage for more than 50 years to Gene L. Waldo, who preceded her in death in 2001, as did her youngest son, Steven S. Waldo in 2003. When her sons were settled into junior and senior high, Mary returned to Western Michigan University where she earned a masters degree in library science. Mary loved her job as a children’s librarian at the Kalamazoo Public Library, especially puppeteering. Mary “retired” from the Kalamazoo Public Library in the mid-1980’s, but the library was the “second love of her life” and she continued to work in area libraries as a part-time librarian until she was 85 years old. Mary is survived by her son William (Judith) Waldo of San Marino, CA and by two grandchildren, Graham and Brent. Mary was a lifelong member of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, where a memorial service for her will be held at 10:00 AM on Saturday December 3, 2016. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to the Kalamazoo Public Library.