Obituary of Mary Lou Littleton

It is with heavy hearts that the family of Mary Lou Littleton, announce her unexpected passing on Friday, Dec. 14, 2018, at her home in Pittsboro, N.C. Mary Lou was born in Waverly, N.Y., in July 1939, the daughter of Ralph and Mary Louise Goble of Athens, Pa.

Mary Lou worked at the Robert Packer Hospital in Sayre, Pa., for 16 years, moving from Staff X-ray Technologist to Chief Technologist. She was a Certified Radiologic Technologist and had an Associate in Science Degree from Mansfield University, Mansfield, Pa. She then worked for 18 years at the University of South Alabama, Dept. of Radiology, College of Medicine, first as an X-ray Technologist and Radiologic Research Assistant. After earning a Bachelor Degree and a Master of Business Administration Degree at the University of South Alabama, she was appointed to Assistant Professor of Radiology. Mary Lou had teaching responsibilities in the Radiology Department and participated in the research, publications of books and articles in medical journals and editing.

She was a consultant to X-ray companies with Dr. Littleton, who was a radiologist, in the design, development, and use of X-ray equipment. They made major contributions to the development of X-ray body section tomography in the days of film radiography. This was the precursor to body section tomography with computer images, called computed tomography (CT). She aided in the development of an Emergency Room X-ray device called the Traumex, which sold well in the U.S. and abroad. Mary Lou was a member of the National Education Association, Marketing Association, American Society of Radiologic Technologists, and First President of the Medical Museum of Mobile, Ala.

Mary Lou was predeceased by her parents; and beloved husband, Dr. Jesse Talbot Littleton III; her daughter, Terry Ann Durizch; and sister, Georgia Kay Alteri.

She is survived by her siblings, John Goble (JoAnn Goble) of Painted Post, N.Y., and Jean Durrand (John Durrand) of Pensacola, Fla.; her son, John Durizch (Nelle Turner Durizch) of Pittsboro, N.C.; grandchildren, John Durizch (Lisa Durizch), Jessy Durizch (Megan Dew), Kylea Durizch, Jared Durizch, Jordan Durizch, June Durizch, and two great-grandchildren, Marlea Durizch and Martha Durizch, all residing in North Carolina; nieces and nephews, Valerie Fowler (Paul), Jennifer Teachout ( Raymond), Michael Alteri, Mark Durrand, Brian Alteri, Dale Goble (Lisa), Dana Goble (Melanie); five stepchildren, Christine Littleton Ilgen (Tom), Joanne Littleton, James Littleton (Sally), Robert Littleton (Alice), and Denise Littleton (Barry); several step-grandchildren, great-nieces and nephews, Carol Curren, Holly Wilson, Jessie Bartran, Melissa Lang; and a host of other family and longtime friends.

You could rarely catch Mary Lou without her Nikon camera in her hands. She was a passionate photographer, who kept an extensive photo diary of family, friends and all of her travels. After retirement, Mary Lou and Jesse spent six weeks each summer at Keuka Lake, N.Y. They loved to fish, golf and travel together. On many trips, Jesse hunted while Mary Lou went along as a photographer.

After Jesse's passing in 2011, she moved to North Carolina to be close to her son and grandchildren. Mary Lou adored her family and she enjoyed many gatherings and celebrations in her Pittsboro home. In addition to spending time with her family, she always kept up with the most current news and technology, she was an animal lover and had many hobbies including gardening, cooking, sewing and was an avid reader.

She was the most kind, giving and caring soul who will be dearly missed and will live in our hearts forever.

A Time of Visitation will be held on Thursday, June 20, 2019 from 3pm-5pm the Jay E. Lowery Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc., 225 South Main Street, Athens, PA.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks to please donate to the non-profit charter school, ID#46-3086549 and please mark in the memo in memory of Mary Lou Littleton: Willow Oak Montessori Foundation, 20101 Governors Drive, Suite #170, Chapel Hills, NC 27517.