Mary Lou Seybold

Mary Lou Seybold, 91, of South Bend, died Tuesday May 16, 2023, under the care of the compassionate staff at the Center for Hospice’s Raclin House in Mishawaka.  She was born Mary Lou Scott on Sept. 2, 1931, in Mishawaka to Rev. Earnest and Nora (Hudson) Scott. Mary was the youngest of five children, a true child of the Depression, raised in the Shirley Temple and FDR era, who made good.

Mary was preceded in death by her son Jeff Barnes, and her grandson, Joshua Barnes.  Mary is survived by her husband of 53 years, James E. Seybold, and her children, Lisa Greco, Katherine Scott (Deane Defontes), Robert Seybold (Marybeth Saunders), and Elizabeth Hasse (James), daughter-in-law Patty Barnes, and her “adopted” son David Kane.  She is also survived by her grandchildren, Rebecca Barnes, Joye (Nathan) Green, Deborah Barnes, Esther Barnes, Anthony Greco, Andrew (Kymm) Mihail, Emma Defontes, Clara Defontes , Augusta (Mitchell) McClean, and Tom Hasse.  Also surviving are her great-grandchildren, Samantha Mihail, Jasper Green, and Hannah, Joseph, and Samuel McClean.   She also leaves behind her beloved nieces Carol Balasa, Cheryl McCoy, and Peggy Johnson, along with several great-nieces and nephews.

Mary graduated from Mishawaka High School in 1949. She dreamed of becoming a concert pianist and a writer. She worked as a copy writer for The South Bend Tribune and Kawneer Corporation and was the advertising manager for Goldblatt’s department stores in Chicago and Mishawaka.

Mary Lou was best known, career-wise, as an award-winning Realtor for Portage Realty and Weichert Realtors-Jim Dunfee and Associates.  She and Jim lived together in a beautiful villa at Tawny Lake, a Portage built community for which Mary was Sales Manager, and Jim designed all the homes.

Mary Lou was both spiritual and political, being an active member of Unity of Michiana, and was passionate about liberal causes. She loved playing piano, singing, reading the New Yorker, watching classic movies, and writing.  She especially loved laughing with family and friends.

We would like to thank the Center for Hospice caregivers, PACE staff (particularly Autumn and Angela), and Rev. Sandy Vanik for her love, friendship, and spiritual support of Mary and her family.

Mary's Celebration of Life will be held 12:00 p.m. Wednesday, May 24, 2023 at Unity of Michiana Spiritual Center, 52248 Laurel Road, South Bend, IN 46637 with visitation from 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution to Unity of Michiana Spiritual Center.

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