Mary Lou Conti

GROSSE POINTE FARMS - Mary Lou Conti, (nee Turrin), age 85, was called to heaven by her Lord and Savior on August 14, 2025. Beloved wife of late husband John Amedeo Conti (2020); dear sister of the late James Turrin; cherished mother of Amanda Conti-Duhaime (Jonathan Clark), Andrew (Amy) Conti and Alana Conti; loving grandmother of Henry Duhaime, John Clark, Joseph and Anika Conti, Luca and Matteo Marciano; and, treasured friend to many, Mary Lou passed after a brief illness which she faced with her characteristic grace, quiet strength, and a deeply held faith and belief in eternal salvation. Mary Lou was born in Detroit, the daughter of Italian immigrants Louis and Emma Turrin. She enjoyed a humble but memorable childhood in the ethnically diverse neighborhoods of Highland Park, Michigan and later, Madison Heights. From a very young age, Mary Lou was relied upon by her parents to bridge the divides of culture and language. She rose to the challenge. She graduated from Mercy High School, a school she selected on her own to attend, and—with the encouragement of her dentist brother James—became a licensed dental hygienist via the University of Detroit. While some questioned her decision to accept the courtship of a newly arrived Italian immigrant electrician—who on their first date appeared “in a borrowed truck, a coat with holes, and not two pennies to rub together”—Mary Lou saw something in John Amedeo which others did not. They married in 1964 and built a modest home in Southfield, Michigan, where they raised three children and welcomed both of their mothers to live with them. It was in the basement of that same home—where Mary Lou handled bookkeeping and John estimated jobs—that a small electrical contracting business (Conti Electric Co) was established. This mom-and-pop venture would grow into one of Michigan’s largest multi-trade, multinational corporations, known today as Conti Corporation (Sterling Heights, MI). With some reluctance, in 1994 Mary Lou moved with John from Southfield to a lakeside home in Grosse Pointe Farms, where they shared many sunrises over favorite tea and cookies, and where Mary Lou formed many new and cherished friendships. In their fifty-six years of marriage, she and John were blessed to enjoy homes on Harsen’s Island, as well as in Florida and Italy. Whether during many turbulent times in the business, or amidst the joys and challenges of managing the household, Mary Lou—a deeply kind, loving, principled, and faith-filled woman—was the glue, the heart, and the conscience of the Conti family. She was beloved by friends and family alike for her warmth and wisdom; for finding and celebrating the best in others; and for making complete strangers feel like longtime friends. Amongst her greatest joys were the times spent with her beloved children and grandchildren, and in visits, chats, and laughter with dear friends. Mary Lou had a gift for conversation and raised the common practice of phone calls—in English or Italian— into an extended art form. Well into her eighty-fifth year, Mary Lou could be seen tooling around downtown Grosse Pointe in her tiny but distinct Fiat 500 Gucci Edition, and took no small delight in a good CVS coupon or a bargain find at her favorite, TJ Maxx. While Mary Lou will be deeply missed, hers was a life well and fully lived. She leaves a legacy of love, thoughtfulness, kindness, and unwavering support. Until her very last day, she remained steadfast in her commitment to glorify God; and, it was her prayer that we do likewise, and to love one another, and keep family close. Mary Lou passed peacefully and fearlessly, in the full confidence and joy of the promise of everlasting life in Jesus Christ our Lord. The family welcomes donations to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or other favorite charities in lieu of flowers. Finally, we wish to express sincere gratitude to the caregiving team of Temrowski Eldercare, and to the exceptional doctors, nurses, and staff at Henry Ford St. John Hospital. Instate Friday 9:30am until 10am Mass at St. Paul on the Lake Catholic Church, 157 Lake Shore Rd., Grosse Pointe Farms. Private entombment, Resurrection Cemetery, Clinton Township. Please share memories with the family at their online guestbook at WujekCalcaterra.com

Mary Lou Conti

March 18, 1940 - August 14, 2025