Mary Lou Yourconis, 84, of Willimantic, passed away Friday, March 17, 2023. She was born on September 10, 1938, in Willimantic, CT, daughter of the late Raymond C. and Louise A. (Pepin) Tatro. She is predeceased by her sister Priscilla A. (Tatro) Chatelle, and uncle Robert and wife Fern Tatro.
Mary Lou was an active member of St. Mary Church. She graduated from Holy Family Academy in Baltic, received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Marymount College in Kansas and her Master’s degree from University of Connecticut. She first taught at Baltic Academy before she became a physical education teacher at Windham High School, retiring after 35 years. She was the head coach of the Girls Swim Team and the Synchronized Swim Club, and served as head of the Physical Education Department and Assistant Athletic Director. She made a difference in many students’ lives, inspiring them, so that to this day, they referred to her as “Coach” when meeting her in the community. Mary Lou also mentored many college students seeking their teaching certification. Mary Lou officiated college and high school swim meets, for which she was commended by the Connecticut Swimming Officials Association for outstanding service as a swimming and diving official and treasurer for 30 years. She volunteered at the Windham Invitational Special Olympics Swim Meets since 1979 and has been named this year’s Honorary Meet Director. She also taught several Health and Safety courses for the American Red Cross over the years.
Mary Lou enjoyed her spare time following UCONN men’s and women’s basketball, traveling with her friend Marge to many UCONN Women’s NCAA Championships and to conventions of a miniature enthusiasts organization all over the country. She never missed an opportunity to get some delicious lobsters at Abbott’s, enjoy a performance at Goodspeed Opera House, or just going to a good movie. She enjoyed spending her summers with family and friends at her lake house on Coventry Lake, where it was tradition for many years to open the summer season with a 4th of July gathering.
She is survived by her niece Jacqueline L. Benoit and partner Chris L. Altmeier of Willimantic, nephew Raymond E. Benoit of Old Mystic, CT, and several cousins. She also leaves behind her very close friend, Marjorie Petro of Mansfield, CT, with whom she traveled extensively and shared many of life’s pleasures.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday Mar 24, at 10AM at St. Mary Church, 46 Valley St, Willimantic. Burial will be in St. Joseph Cemetery, Windham. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Windham Area Dollars for Scholars, c/o Windham High School, 355 High St, Willimantic, CT 06226, or to St. Mary Church Renovation Fund, 80 Maple Ave, Willimantic, CT 06226. To send an online expression of sympathy, please visit www.baconfh.com
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Previous Events
Funeral Mass
24
Mar
46 Valley St
Willimantic, CT 06226
Cemetery Details
Location
61 Club Rd
Windham, CT 06280
Dollars for Scholars c/o Windham High School
Willimantic, CT 06226
St. Mary Church Renovation Fund
Willimantic, CT 06226
