Marylouise Hewitt

HEWITT - Marylouise
February 27, 1935 – July 12, 2018.
Marylouise Hewitt, retired library reference publication editor and former President of Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays, died in her Lancaster home. Shewas 83. Born in Reading, Pennsylvania, she was the daughter of Horace Mann, a Lutheran Minister, and Florence Hermany Mann. She is survived by her son, Ross Hewitt; daughter, Rachele Cruz; sister, Martha Pearson and grandson,Michael Cruz. She graduated from Kutztown State Teachers College and went on to obtain a Masters in Library Science from Geneseo State. She became the editor of the Education Index, a worldwide reference published by the HW Wilson Company in New York City, for many years. She moved to Buffalo in 1988 and worked at the Immunodeficiency Clinic at ECMC as a receptionist for her son, Dr. Ross Hewitt, until 2004. Marylouise was active in many organizations and committees within the LGBTQ community, serving on the Pride Committee and as a board member and President of Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays of Buffalo. She was an active member of Pilgrim-St. Luke’s United Church of Christ for the past 14 years. She greeted all with a smile, regardless of race, creed, HIV status, sexual orientation or gender identity. She was the unofficial mother of the gay community in Western New York. There will be a viewing on Sunday, July 15, 2018 from 5-7 pm followed by a Memorial Service at 7 pm at Pilgrim-St. Luke’s UCC, 335 Richmond Avenue, corner of Utica Street, in Buffalo. In lieu of flowers, donations may be directed in her memory to Pilgrim-St. Luke’s UCC. Arrangements by Melvin J. Sliwinski Funeral Home.