Mary Lou Derby

Mary Lou Derby was born on October 12, 1932 to Louis George Walde and Ella (Petersen) Walde in Winside, Nebraska. A Memorial Celebration of her life will be held later in warmer weather.

She started 1st grade at age 4 in a rural school. Graduated from Winside High School in 1949 – then went to Wayne State Teacher’s College for 8 weeks and began her teaching career the fall of 1949, at the age of 16, in a rural school. Taught 4 years in Nebraska rural schools. Then in 1953 she moved to Laramie, Wyoming, where she taught until 1965, when she moved to Lander, where she taught until retirement in 1994. She graduated from the University of Wyoming in 1962. She taught second grade, and in 1971 become an Elementary School Librarian.

She was a member of the Beta Sigma Phi, Delta Kappa Gamma, Wyoming Retired Teachers, she served 6 years on Wyoming State Child Care Certification Board. She worked hard with Wyoming education, national education, and held many offices.

Mary Lou enjoyed sewing, reading, crafts, yard work, and flowers. She also loved helping people.

She bowled in 2 leagues. Volunteer work with AARP and storytelling in various schools.

She worked 10 plus years at Alco Discount Stores after retiring.

She married Delmer Derby on August 20, 1955. She is survived by her 3 children, Carrie Jo Calvert, Louis Derby, Courtney Derby; grandchildren, Jacklynn, Amanda , Jeremy , Courtney; great-grandchildren, Trey, Gauge, Journey, Genevieve, Hannah, Sierra, Ellis, Blake; great-great-grandchildren, Natalie, and Jameson.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Delmer; parents, Louis George and Ella Walde; sister, Evelyn; and granddaughter, Hailey Wilson.

Memorial donations may be mailed directly to Help for Health Hospice, 1240 College View Drive, Riverton, Wyoming 82501. Or Anam Cara, 909 Fremont Street, Lander, Wyoming 82520.

A tribute was given on Facebook from her granddaughter, Jacklynn. As follows: On this day we mark the gentle passing of our extraordinary Grandma at age 93, a woman who lived with such joy that time itself paused to admire her. She was a true citizen of the world: traveling Far and wide, collecting friends (especially those elegant "ladies from back East") and memories instead of regrets, She bowled strikes into her 80’s and drove until 90, insisting the horizon still had lessons for her.

A proud member of Beta Sigma Phi. She cherished the sisterhood and laughter that filled decades of meetings. And oh, how she loved her Red Hat Ladies, strutting in purple and red, proving that fun only gets better with age.

As a librarian, books were her heartbeat. She believed a library card could take you anywhere and pressed novels into our hands like treasures. Education, she insisted, was everything. You taught the kids so much when we would vacation at your house! And always a trip to the Cowfish, for a beer was a must!

Every birthday and holiday brought one of her perfect cards: beautifully looping handwriting, a crisp bill inside, and always, "I'm so proud of you." She made every grandchild and great-grandchild feel deeply loved, right to the last envelope.

Today we don't say goodbye. We say thank you for the postcards, the strikes, the red hats, the books, the advice, and a love that will never fade.

Rest easy, Grandma. Heaven just gained its feistiest Red Hat Lady and wisest librarian. Keep the lanes warm and the card table ready.

We love you forever, until we meet again.

Please sign the online guestbook: hudsonsfh.com.