It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our mom, grandma, and great-grandma, Mary Lou Tye (nee Busteed) at the age of 89. Mary Lou is at peace and has gone home to join her husband, Jim (2022) and her children, Deb (2020) and Kevin (2022). Nothing was more important to Mary Lou than her family. She is survived by her sons, Dave and Tom (Crystal), grandchildren, Joel and Karlee (Taylor), and great-grandchildren, Lincoln and Lyla. She was predeceased by her infant daughter in 1960 and great-grandson, Daeton in 2006. Married on January 31, 1959, Mary Lou and Jim spent a wonderful 63 years together. Mary Lou grew up in Mull just outside of Blenheim and lived on the farm for 84 years. The farm was all Mary Lou knew and was where she and Jim raised their four amazing children and shared a wonderful life together.
Mary Lou cherished her time as a mother and grandmother above all else. She was a proud “ma” to Dave and Tom and “gram” to Joel and Karlee. With the arrival of their grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Mary Lou and Jim slowed down and took an easier path to life. Whether it was life on the farm, horse racing, how to drive tractors, how to cut grass, or anything else, Mary Lou and Jim always took time to show their grandchildren everything they knew. The arrival of their great-grandson, Lincoln in 2018 and great-granddaughter, Lyla in 2024 was a high point for the family. Everyone who knew Mary Lou knew how excited and happy she was to have them around. This is something Joel and Karlee will be forever grateful for, and they will make sure Lincoln and Lyla know exactly how great their grandma really was.
Mary Lou is the last surviving member of her immediate family and was the youngest daughter to Thomas and Gladys Busteed. Mary Lou was predeceased by her biological sister, Elda Pickering (2022); and her honorary sisters, Dorothy Gardiner (2008), Irene Lee (2017), and Ruth Simpson (2023), who she was raised with. Mary Lou is also survived by her sisters-in-law, Donna Holling (late Bill) and Joyce Clark (John), and brother-in-law, Dan Apthorp (late Nettie). She will also be missed by many nieces, nephews and other extended family.
Mary Lou was a woman of many words and wasn’t afraid to tell you like it was or show you what she thought, which is something we loved about her. Mary Lou would always talk to someone and make them feel welcome regardless of who they were. Mary Lou loved horses just like her husband, Jim, and you would often find them at the horse races in Dresden or Sarnia. They especially enjoyed watching their long-time friend, Donny Rankin Jr. race his horses.
For 62 years, life on the farm was all Mary Lou knew until she and Jim moved to Maple City Residence in Chatham in 2021. Mary Lou lived there until she needed more care and moved to Blenheim Community Village in 2025. The family would like to sincerely thank all of the staff at Maple City Residence for their care over the years, and especially the care and support from all the staff at Blenheim Community Village for their care over the last year and for keeping her comfortable in her final days.
The family finds comfort knowing that Mary Lou is now at peace and is resting eternally with her parents, husband, Jim, and her children, Deb and Kevin. In honour of Mary Lou’s wishes, cremation has taken place. Those wishing to remember Mary Lou are asked to consider donating to the Ronald McDonald House Charities – Southwestern Ontario https://ronaldmcdonaldhouseswo.ca/ or the Canadian Mental Health Association https://www.camh.ca/ both of which Mary Lou and Jim loved to support.
