Mary Lou Sallmen,75,of 61 Upper Idlewild Dr., passed away peacefully in her home after a long illness on May 16,2009.
She was born in New Castle on June 27,1933 the daughter of Helen Dorcy Hobbs.She Married James Sallmen on July 8, 1950.She was previously employed by Johnson Bronze Co.,West Penn Plastics and Shenango China. Her life devotion was her family and helping others,friends or strangers. She was loved by so many people and touched so many lives.She was the founder of the Division Street Volunteers Club,Inc. known as the DSV Club,because she wanted a way to give back to the community.She was the owner of Sallmen's Social Center, bingo and banquet hall for the last twenty five years.She was a member of DSV Club, Taylor Twp. Athletic Assn. bingo committee, the Ladies guild of Mary,Mother of Hope Parish. She was a former officer of the Blue Army of Our Lady of Fatima.In the 1960's she was a volunteer at the former St. Mary School Cafeteria and bingo.She loved to play bingo and travel across the United States, especially to Las Vegas and to her son Jimi's home in Arizona.
She is survived by her husband James at home,one Son Jimi Sallmen and his wife Kimberly of Glendale,Az.. one daughter Mary Lou Diaz and her husband Herman of New Castle,who were her caregivers along with her husband and her two grandchildren Travis Sallmen and Steven Diaz. Also surviving is Annie Gilliland Wise,who she raised and loved like a daughter.
Calling hours will be held on Tuesday from 4:00 To 7:00 P.M. at the J. Bradley McGonigle Funeral Home & Crematory,Inc. 111 W. Falls St., New Castle.
A procession will leave the funeral home on Wednesday at 9:30 A.M.for St. Mary Church where a Mass of christian burial will be celebrated at 10:00 A.M.,conducted by the Rev. James Downs. Burial will follow in St. Mary cemetery. Friends may send condolences by visiting our website atWWW. McGonigleFuneralHomeandCrematory.Com
She was preceded in death by her mother Helen Hobbs in 1981 and a brother James Hobbs in 1988