Mary Lou Viviani was born February 11, 1933, to Marjorie Crow-Viviani and Jack Viviani Sr. Jack and Marge had seven children and Mary Lou was the second in line. She grew up in Rock Island and worked in the family grocery store and catering business as a child and into adulthood. She attended St. Mary's School where she was the spelling bee champion! She was a proud graduate of Rock Island High School in 1950. She was the Rock Island Harvest Queen and excelled in academics. She enjoyed playing the piano and watching sports. She attended a boxing match and met the love of her life, Jim Udy. After courting Jim, the most handsome man she had ever laid eyes on, they were married at St. Anthony's Catholic Church in Davenport, and she worked for the Corps of Engineers on Arsenal Island. Mary followed Jim after he enlisted in the US Army and joined him in Alaska. Their two eldest daughters Catherine (Cathy) and Kim were born on the military base in Alaska. Mary and Jim returned to the Quad Cities and had two more daughters, Laura and MaryBeth and raised them to love God and family, and to care for others.

Mary also worked helping her brother in the family catering business and grocery store, Viviani's in Rock Island on 23rd street. She was the epitome of a home maker, a day care provider, a friend to all, and an avid volunteer in her community. Mary later worked for Lohmeier State Farm Insurance in downtown Rock Island and then for several years as a secretary in the Development Office at Augustana College, where she proudly and lovingly coordinated student workers and became their mother away from home.

Both Jim and Mary emulated giving spirits and always showed hospitality opening their home, hosting friends and family, hosting friends on road trips and trips to the family cabin in Conesville, Ia.  Mary and Jim were super fans of Rocky basketball and owned MANY season tickets and traveled to support the team. Mary was honored at a RIHS basketball game as "Fan of the Year," one of her proudest moments. Mary enjoyed gardening and making crafts and she was an incredible hostess. Friends were treated like family and Mary shared her gifts and caring heart with all those around her. She cared for her mother, her father-in-law, her aunt, uncle and for her grandchildren. Mary set the bar high in care giving and loving others, and deserved nothing less than the best, compassionate care in her final months of life. Even in her last days, she advised her family to pray and to be patient and kind. She reminded them to care for one another and to have patience with children.

Mary Lou was preceded in death by her one and only love, Jim in 1988 and she never dated or remarried, as Jim was the only man who had her heart. She was also preceded in death by her parents, her daughter Cathy, her grandson DJ, son-in-law Kevin Block, sisters Liz and Ginny and brother Jack. She is survived by sisters Millie McNabb (Rock Island), Joann (Jack) Dunlap (Moline), Susie (Dwight)Wagner (Rock Island), daughters Kim Block (Rock Island), Laura Udy-Sierra (Ruben) (Moline), and MaryBeth (Chris) Myers, (Davenport), grandchildren Heidi Henderson, Dawn Heaton, Kellen Myers, Logan Myers and several great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren.

The family offers sincere gratitude to Trinity Home Hospice team who gave Mary the most amazing, compassionate, and respectful care, including music therapy which made Mary smile, sing and tap her toes. Another special thank you to Mark Sersland, family friend, who spent time with Mary to provide conversation, care, and laughs. Mary was blessed with love and friendship from many because that is what she showed others.

A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10:00 am on Thursday, June 1st at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Rock Island. Visitation will be from 8:30 to 10:00 am Thursday at church. Burial will be in Rock Island National Cemetery, Arsenal Island. Memorials can be made to RIHS Basketball Program or Augustana College Office of Advancement.