Mary Louise Ching Mattei

Mary Louise Ching Mattei, “Mary Lou”, 88, of Leonardtown, MD, passed away on December 8, 2023 in Leonardtown, MD. Born on March 12, 1935 in Pearson, St. Mary’s County, MD, she was the daughter of the late Calvert I. Norris and the late Mary Elizabeth (Gatton) Norris. Mary Lou was the loving wife of the late Robert Mattei, whom she married on January 17, 2002, and who preceded her in death on March 20, 2017. She is survived by her stepchildren Robin Beard (Jeff), Ronald Mattei (Lynn), Ricky Mattei (Roxanne), her siblings Joan Payne (George) of Mechanicsville, MD and Jackie Norris, of Compton, MD her sister-in-law, Emily Norris and Myrtle Ann Norris, as well as many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews, which were like her own children. In addition to her parents, Mary Lou was preceded in death by her first husband, John R. Ching, whom she married in November 1953, and her siblings, Betty Ann Beavan, Dickie Norris, Bobby Norris, and Billy Norris, and stepson Russell Mattei. Mary Lou was a lifelong St. Mary’s County, MD resident, and attended Our Lady’ School in Medley’s Neck and St. Mary’s Academy in Leonardtown. She was a switchboard operator for C&P Telephone Company/Verizon in Leonardtown, LaPlata, and Brandywine for 32 ½ years, retiring in 1985. After her retirement, she worked part time for St. Mary’s County Government. Mary Lou enjoyed shopping, gambling, traveling with her husband, Bob, working in her yard, and going to lunch with friends. She did volunteer work with the Telephone Co. Pioneers and the St. Mary’s Nursing Center Bingo. The family would like to thank Mary Lou’s very special niece, Donna Norris, for the loving care she so graciously gave her. The family will receive friends on Tuesday, December 19, 2023 from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM in the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, Leonardtown, MD. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 AM in Our Lady’s Church at Medley’s Neck, Leonardtown, MD, with Father John Nguyen officiating. Interment will follow at Charles Memorial Gardens, Leonardtown, MD. Serving as pallbearers will be Gary Norris, Tony Norris, Bob Norris, Jim Norris, George Payne and Bernie Beavan. Honorary pallbearers will be David Norris, Dennis Norris, Duane Carroll and Joey Beavan. Contributions may be made to the Leonardtown Vol. Rescue Squad. P.O. Box 299, Leonardtown, MD 20650. Condolences may be made to the family at www.mgfh.com. Arrangements provided by the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home and Cremation Services, P.A., Leonardtown, MD.