Marylou E. Nassoiy

Of Lewiston, NY, passed away on Sunday, November 2, 2025.

She sailed into this world on December 2, 1948 in Niagara Falls, New York, the fifth of eight children born to Estelle (Hartman) and Lester Nassoiy. From an early age, she developed a strength and resilience, perhaps in response to having five brothers!

She attended St. Joseph's School and Madonna High School and after graduation, entered a nursing program in California. There she graduated from East Los Angeles College with a degree in nursing. At one time, while looking for an apartment, she was forced to live out of her car, but still continued to attend classes determined to graduate. But graduate, she did returning to Niagara Falls and pursuing a Master's degree from the University of Buffalo. She then worked at Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center in the ICU, followed by other assignments and finally became the Director of Nursing for the Niagara County Health Department.

"Lou" always had many interests. Even though she had no prior experience in an area, she was undaunted and pursued it, learning to sail and acquiring her own boat, getting a motorcycle and riding it around the country, and the list goes on.

After retirement from the county, she continued to work as a Federal employee giving vaccinations to border patrol agents in the Western New York area. She moved to Colorado for a change of scenery which proved to be an enjoyable experience that included a lot of hiking and outdoors activities. A few years passed and Lou returned to New York to be nearer her beloved daughter Jennifer.

As camping at Alleghany State Park was a family pastime from her youth, she continued it, organizing large, yearly, family camping get-togethers that included her siblings, cousins, nieces and nephews from across the country. Everyone waited for the message from Lou announcing when to reserve the cabins in the park for the next summer.

Always loving nature and animals, Lou had canaries as well as a cockatoo (Guido), a pond full of colorful kois, and most recently,
Rosie the cat. Somehow, among her many activities, she managed to become an accomplished watercolorist with paintings gracing the walls of local establishments. She encouraged others to pursue their art in any form and was always supportive of friends' and family's ventures into a myriad of self-expression.

Lou had a wonderful sense of humor and a delightful laugh and was a vibrant person full of energy. She enjoyed theatre, particularly musicals and comedies and would make it a point to see at least one show at the Shaw every summer.

Marylou is survived by her daughter Jennifer Wendell; former husband, Gerald Wendell; brothers Michael (late Dolly), Frank, Joseph, Rockne (Diane), and Terry and sisters, Patricia Colville, Gene Barbour, as well as many cousins, nieces, and nephews. She will be sorely missed by her dear cousin, Patricia Nixon Pierce and many dear friends, near and far.  As the hub of a large family, Lou leaves a great void that will never be filled.

Her family will be present on Thursday, November 6, 2025, from 5-7 PM at the RHONEY FUNERAL HOME, 901 Cayuga Street, LEWISTON,  NY, followed by a celebration of her life at 7:00 PM.

Memorials may be made in her name to the American Kidney Fund.

Interment in Memorial Park Cemetery.
Visit www.rhoneyfuneral home.com, for guest register.

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