Mary Lou A. Gren (nee Trimarco), 91, of Portland, Texas, entered into eternal rest peacefully on August 7, 2026, surrounded by family and love.
Born on May 20, 1935, to the late Joseph and Lucille Trimarco, Mary Lou was raised in the suburbs of Chicago, Illinois. It was there that she spent her early years and met the love of her life, her late husband William Gren. Together, they began building their family and welcomed three daughters. A career opportunity eventually brought them to Upland, California, where Mary Lou devoted herself to raising her children while determinedly pursuing her own education. She proudly earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of La Verne and went on to build a fulfilling career with WesCorp, where she worked until her retirement. Retirement later brought Mary Lou and William to beautiful Kerrville in the Texas Hill Country, where they deeply enjoyed their later years together.
Mary Lou had an undeniable zest for life and a talent for finding the fun in everyday things. She loved playing bridge, participating in the Red Hat Society, reading, and spending time by the seaside. Perhaps most of all, she loved shopping. Gifted with a true knack for finding the best deal in town, she never met a sale she didn’t like. She took humorous pride in scoring the very first parking spot in a lot and lived by the spirited motto, “Shop ’til you drop!” These moments captured the essence of who Mary Lou was: independent, determined, joyful, and full of life.
Above all else, Mary Lou’s greatest joy was her family. Her loved ones were her proudest accomplishment and the source of her deepest happiness. She is survived by her loving daughters, Janis (Brent) McManigal and Linda (Donald) Morrison, and was preceded in death by her beloved daughter, the late Mary C. Gren.
She was the proud and cherished "Nana" to nine grandchildren: Anthony (Salina) Kern, Karin (Brian) Clarke, Marissa (Nuno) Oliveira, Shannon (Cameron) McManigal, Evan McManigal, Bryce (Ashley) McManigal, Jacob (Jerilynne) Morrison, Nicole Morrison, and Kevin Morrison. She was the adoring great-grandmother of six: Kendall, Kenzie, and Kaylee Kern; Emily and Colin Clarke; and Hunter McManigal.
Mary Lou is also survived by her brother, Joseph (Patricia) Trimarco, and was preceded in death by her dear sister, Janice Pivoney, and brother-in-law, Charles Pivoney. She will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by all who had the privilege of knowing her.
Service Information:
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, August 28, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at Mary Queen of Heaven Catholic Church, 426 N. West Ave., Elmhurst, Illinois. Live stream of funeral Mass available through Gibbons Funeral Home website, www.gibbonsfuneralhome.com.
Interment will follow immediately at Queen of Heaven Cemetery (Crucifixion Courtyard, Niche 179, Tier 2, Rear). Following the interment, family and friends are warmly invited to gather for a luncheon to celebrate Mary Lou's life at Francesca’s, 174 N. York St., Elmhurst.
Memorial Donations:
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Mary Lou’s name to Alzheimer’s Disease Research, a BrightFocus Foundation Program.