Marylou (Hearty) Salois

May 26, 1941 - February 25, 2022

Marylou (Hearty) Salois of North Andover, MA, age 80, passed peacefully from this life surrounded by her children and eldest granddaughter on February 25, 2022, after a long and valiant battle with cancer. Her final hours were spent in the care and comfort of High Pointe House Hospice of Haverhill, MA where she and her family were lovingly supported. Marylou was born May 26, 1941, to Arthur and Florence (Parkinson) Hearty originally of Lawrence, MA and later of North Andover, MA. Marylou was the third daughter of four. She lived most of her life in North Andover and was educated in North Andover schools. She graduated from North Andover High School in 1959. Following time as wife, mother, and homemaker and after some part-time work, Marylou completed Licensed Practical Nurse Training and began her long and devoted career as a nurse. Marylou spent several years nursing at Lawrence General Hospital. In addition to her full-time work, Marylou worked part-time as a private-duty nurse and for various local nursing homes. She was the nurse for both The Essex County Correctional Facility in Lawrence, MA for 10 years and the new Middleton, MA jail for 5 years. Marylou taught a Certified Nursing Assistant Program and CPR training in addition to her full-time work. She used her medical training and experience to care for her aging parents and her sisters when they fell ill. Most recently and for 16 years, Marylou worked as LPN for Dr. Anthony Marino in Methuen, MA. The pandemic ended her career in March of 2020. Marylou had a life-long passion for the arts. She volunteered with The Garrett Players of Lawrence, MA for several years helping with props, sets, and costumes. She loved to paint and draw and created lovely and sometimes functional pieces of art for her friends and family. For a short time, she co-owned a gift shop in North Andover where she created giftware and plaques. Marylou’s favorite vocation and the one which brought her most joy was that of mother. She devoted her life to her four children and lovingly sacrificed to raise them with her good humor, strong work ethic, and unwavering ability to face adversity with confidence and grace. She was a grandmother of 10 and became a great-grandmother in 2020. Marylou was a communicant of Saint Michael Parish, No. Andover, MA. Marylou found great joy in volunteering within her parish community and contributed her time and talents to youth ministry, events and retreats, faith formation (“CCD”), and the annual “Night in Bethlehem”. She was very proud to have been honored in February 2020 with the annual “Saint Joseph Award” by Fr. Kevin Deeley, pastor of St. Michael Parish along with the Knights of Columbus recognizing her devotion to faith, family, church, and community. Marylou is survived by her sister Kathleen Hearty Xia and her husband Jim Xia of Castro Valley, CA, her four children and their spouses, Deborah Ambrose and husband John of Exeter, NH; Dianne Gabriel and husband Ed of North Andover, MA; Eugene Salois III and wife Judy of Methuen, MA; David Salois and wife Tracey of North Andover, MA; her ten grandchildren Jason, Jenna, Hayley, Jeffrey, Tyler, Joseph, Emily, Kyle, Matthew, and Jessica, and great-grandsons Wesley and Richard. She also leaves several dear friends, especially her “like a sister” lifelong friend, Barbara Lima of Seabrook, NH, and many in-laws, cousins, nieces, nephews, grand-nieces and grand-nephews. Marylou was predeceased by her parents, Arthur and Florence Hearty, and her sisters Elizabeth Hearty and Susan Hearty Kierstead. Funeral arrangements are by John Breen Funeral Home, 35 Merrimack St., North Andover, MA. Calling hours will be held Thursday, March 3, 4-7 PM. A mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Saint Michael Parish, 196 Main Street, North Andover, MA 01845 at 10:00 AM, Friday, March 4, 2022, with interment at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, North Andover, MA. In lieu of Flowers, donations can be made in Marylou’s name to Youth Ministry/Faith Formation of Saint Michael Parish, 196 Main Street, North Andover, MA or online at https://www.osvhub.com/st-michael-north-andover/funds?preview= and scroll down to “Memorial Giving”.