Mary "Mary Lou" L. Deane

Mary Louise Deane, 98, of Geneseo, IL, passed away peacefully on Thursday, January 29, 2026, at Allure of Geneseo with her family at her side.  A funeral service will be held at Vandemore Funeral Home – Geneseo Chapel, on February 7, 2026, at 10:30 a.m., with visitation from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. preceding the service.  She will be laid to rest in Greenview Memorial Gardens, East Moline, IL. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in her name to Grace Methodist Church of Geneseo or the Henry County Humane Society - Geneseo.

Mary Lou was born on Thanksgiving Day, November 24, 1927, in Flint, Michigan, to Arthur J. Anderson and Mary E. (Adams) Anderson.  She was the middle child of five, spending her early years during the Depression in Flint, MI, and Duluth, MN, until the family moved to Rock Island, IL, in 1941. 

After graduating from Rock Island High School in 1945, she worked as a teller at the former First National Bank in Rock Island.  One morning at the bus stop on her way to work, she met Robert Deane, a handsome GI who had recently returned from overseas service in the Army.  They were married on May 26, 1948, in Rock Island and later welcomed two daughters, Nancy and Sandra.  Mary Lou was a devoted mother, wife, and homemaker.

In retirement, Mary Lou and Robert moved to an acreage near Geneseo and spent many happy years filled with visits from the grandchildren, gardening, traveling, and participating at the Geneseo farmer’s market. 

After Robert’s passing in 1992, Mary Lou moved into Geneseo, where she continued as an active member of Grace Methodist Church, the Azure Circle, and the church choir; volunteered at Hammond Henry Hospital; and belonged to various clubs and organizations. Her family, faith, friends, and service to others were the cornerstones of her long life.

Those left to cherish her memory are daughters Nancy (Walt) Holling of Geneseo and Sandra (Mark) Zaban, Manhattan, IL.  Grandchildren Jason (Justin) Holling-Karas, Sarah (Bryan) Mays, David (Jamie) Zaban, and Kathleen (Wayne Messenger) Zaban; great grandchildren Alexis, Avery, Jack, Ben, Abby, Cooper, Hailey, and Ruby; a brother, James (Myrna) Anderson of Lynn Center, IL., and many nieces and nephews.  She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.

She was preceded in death by her husband; her parents;  three sisters, Betty McDonald, Shirley Knope, and Jeanette Abrahamson; and three brothers-in-law, Glenn McDonald, Robert Knope, and Richard Abrahamson.