Mary Louise Tasheff

Tasheff, Mary Louise, 91, passed away on Thursday, May 15, 2014, surrounded by her family. “Lou” as she was known to the legions of her friends, and “MaLou” to her family, was born Mary Louise Southworth on November 3, 1922 to Otto Cecil and Georgia Grace Southworth. A life-long Wichitan, Lou graduated from East High School and the University of Wichita, Class of 44. It was at WU that Lou discovered her lifelong passion for art and design, and in particular, silversmithing - the sculpting and shaping of sterling silver. As a young mother of four in the 1950s, when there were not always the resources to keep her supplied with the elements she needed, her ingenuity and imagination was displayed when, in order to follow her dreams, she borrowed drills, burners, and tools from her dentist late at night when his office was closed. The result more than 60 years later? Over 300 pieces of unmatched art, each representing the very essence of Mary Lou Tasheff as a woman: beautiful, creative, enduring, and ambitious. Elegant yet strong. Lou was an enthusiastic member of the Grace Presbyterian Choir, singing alto in that choir for almost eighty years. Yes, you read that right. Eighty years. She was a vibrant and active supporter of the Wichita arts community, a faithful symphony, theatre, and museum attendee for her entire adult life. Lou was preceded in death by her parents; her sister, Peggy; and her husband of 50 years, Jim Tasheff, who passed away in 2004. Also preceding was son-in-law, Rich Vliet. She is survived by her four children, Steve Tasheff (Jennie), Marni Vliet Stone (David), Christine Tasheff (Michael Cleary), and Tedde Tasheff (Robbie Patterson); grandchildren, Katherine Tasheff, Whitney Ward (Mike), and Sasha Vliet; great-grandchildren, Benjamin and Matthew Carlton, Jackson, Cooper, and Georgia Ward, and Sebastian Lawrence. Memorial Services will be held at 3:00 P.M., Sunday, May 18, 2014, at Grace Presbyterian Church. Memorial gifts requested to Grace Presbyterian Choir, 5002 E. Douglas, Wichita, KS 67208; Mary Louise and James Tasheff Endowed Scholarship for the School of Art and Design at Wichita State University, 1845 Fairmount St., Wichita, KS 67260; Wichita Center for the Arts, 9112 E. Central Ave., Wichita, KS 67206. Downing Lahey East Mortuary.