Mary Louise Markow (Prettyman) "Mary Lou" "Mamie", of Clayton, DE, passed away on Friday May 4, 2018 at Bayhealth Medical Center, Dover. She was 79.

She was born in Milford, DE on May 17, 1938, the daughter of the late Hubert and Ruth Prettyman whom she always referred to as the most loving parents anyone could wish for. She grew up in Laurel, DE and graduated from Laurel High School in 1957. She was also a 1960 graduate of the Memorial Hospital Nursing School.

Mary was an RN in the newborn nursery at Memorial Hospital in Wilmington which she considered the "best job in the world." Then in 1986 she moved to the brand-new Christiana Hospital until her retirement in 1997. After retirement, she enjoyed volunteering at Tot-Time at New Castle United Methodist Church in Old New Castle, a pre-school where she could spend her time holding and reading to the many toddlers whom she came to love.

She moved to Wilmington for nursing school, then she and Paul bought their home in New Castle where they lived for 42 years. They moved to Clayton in 2006 to be next door to their daughter, son-in-law and grandchildren.

Her most favorite thing to do was attending anything and everything that her granddaughters were involved in. From concerts, marching band competitions, field days, girl scout programs, t-ball games, Tae-Kwon-Do classes, even doctors' appointments, she was always there.  When Chris and Ruthann were young, their friends could always count on a ride anywhere. Mary would not hesitate to come and pick them up, no matter where they were.  Ask anyone and they'll tell you what a kind, generous person Mary was.  She knew no strangers!

She loved to be outside and plant flowers, even though she joked about not having a green thumb.  Children were her joy. Every baby was beautiful and perfect in her eyes. Just going to lunch with her dear friend Joan brought her so much excitement. She loved people and sharing stories.

If you wanted to call Mary on the phone, you had to be prepared to talk for at least a half an hour. She had to make sure to tell you all about what her girls were up to and get every update from you and your family.

She was predeceased by her son, Chris Markow in 1983; and her sister Barbara "Bobbie" Prettyman Yurek and brother in-law John Yurek.

She is survived by her husband of 58 years, Paul Markow; a daughter Ruthann Pyle and son-in-law Eric of Clayton; granddaughters Lauren Pyle, Chloe Pyle, and Melissa Pyle; her most beloved great-grandson, Landon John Sandstrom, who will be arriving close to her birthday, May 17; three brothers Hubert Prettyman, of Arizona, Joe Prettyman and wife Bettye of Laurel, and Steve Prettyman and wife Lorraine of Seaford; her sister-in-law Stella Thomas of New Castle; beloved nieces and nephews Fran Donaway (Chuck), Allen Prettyman (Tara), Stephen Prettyman (Jacquelyn), Rebecca (Becky) Collison (Glenn), Joe Prettyman (Sherrie), Jennifer Venables, Nancy Lichty (Pete), Tim Pugh, Joan Markow, Andy Markow (Maureen),  and Johnny Bolinski (Marty); and her dear friends Joyce Ruston and Joan Lewis. She loved taking care of her newly adopted cat, Tommy.

Services will be held 12:00 PM Saturday May 12 at Matthews-Bryson Funeral Home, 123 W. Commerce St., Smyrna, where a visitation will be held at 11:00 AM. Her niece, Pastor Rebecca Collison will officiate the service. Burial will follow at Glenwood Cemetery, Smyrna.

Donations can be made in Mary's name to the American Federation for Suicide Prevention, especially the fundraiser that Ruthann will be participating in that Mary was so proud of. https://www.theovernight.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=donorDrive.participant&participantID=25548

Many thanks to the staff of Christiana Hospital 6B, Dr. Park, Rita, and Kristen from the Helen Graham Cancer Center, Hematology Unit for their kindness and compassion shown over the last two months.

To sign the online guestbook, please click on the tab marked "Sign the Guestbook".

Arrangements are by Matthews-Bryson Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Smyrna.