Mary Lou    Craighead

Mary Lou Craighead, 72, of Fairfield, a retired office manager with more than 20 years of service at Oliver Nurseries, where she was greatly valued for her knowledge, helpfulness and love of gardening, died May 1 at Bridgeport Hospital.

She is survived by a daughter and son-in-law, Tracy and Peter Van Buskirk of Newtown.

Born in Bridgeport, Mrs Craighead was a Fairfield resident for most of her life. She was a graduate of Roger Ludlowe High School and Wheaton College. She was a member of the Junior League of Eastern Fairfield County, Pequot Yacht Club, and Fairfield Beach Club. She was a volunteer at Bridgeport Hospital, and had an award-winning garden which was admired by her family and friends. She was predeceased by a son, Charles L. Smith.

Survivors include her husband, Lincoln W. Craighead of Fairfield; two other children, Cynthia Smith of Venice Beach, Calif., and Andrew Smith of Colebrook; her mother, Katherine Lincoln of Bridgeport; a brother, James Lincoln of North Andover, Mass.; a sister, Lista Houha of Ft Lauderdale, Fla.; four stepchildren, Lincoln W. Craighead, Jr, of Woodstock, Vt., Evelyn Craighead of Fairfield, Caroline Craighead of Norwalk, and Laura Reich and her husband, Peter, of Ridgefield; four grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.

A memorial service took place on May 5 in St Paul Episcopal Church, Fairfield. Private interment was in Oaklawn Cemetery, Fairfield.

The Spear Funeral Home, 39 South Benson Road, Fairfield, was in charge of arrangements.

Contributions in memory of Mrs Craighead may be made to Bridge House, 880 Fairfield Avenue, Bridgeport, CT 06605, or Bridgeport Rescue Mission, PO Box 9057, Bridgeport, CT 06601.

The Newtown Bee         May 11, 2001