Mary Lou Pilous

Mary Lou Pilous was born on August 19, 1947, to the late Rudy Pilous, a legendary Canadian hockey coach, and Margaret Steele. Though born in the United States, she spent her early years in Canada, where her creativity and love of art began to flourish. An accomplished artist and designer, Mary Lou developed a passion for interior design, painting, and stained-glass work. One of her proudest artistic achievements was contributing a stained-glass installation displayed at Brock University in St. Catharines, Ontario, a lasting symbol of her talent and vision. In the early 1990s, Mary Lou moved to Florida with her son, Jeremy, where she spent more than thirty years building a life filled with art, design, and community. Her eye for beauty and bold sense of style led her to design many homes throughout South Florida, each one uniquely reflecting her creative spirit. Mary Lou was well known for her love of animals. Her dogs were her constant companions, Bijoux, Maggie, Mozart, Beethoven, Chopin, Buster, and Brandon, names she lovingly reused through the years for the many pets who shared her life. Over time she cared for, fostered, and babysat more than twenty dogs, each one treated like family. She was a familiar face at the dog park, always surrounded by wagging tails and laughter. She had a flair for independence, often seen behind the wheel of her Jaguar or Jeep, always with a story to tell or a creative idea to share. Mary Lou found joy in giving, through her handmade creations, thoughtful gestures, and the many ideas she dreamed up during her long, creative visits to Michaels and Home Depot. She is survived by her beloved son Jeremy and his wife Nikki, who ensured her final year was spent with care, dignity, and love. She also leaves behind her dear friends Ellen and Paulette, her loving neighbors, and many more friends throughout Wellington and Palm Beach, all of whom brought color and comfort to her life. The family extends their heartfelt gratitude to Yasmeen and the entire team at Helping Hands Assisted Living, whose kindness and dedication provided Mary Lou with comfort, companionship, and peace in her final months. Mary Lou lived boldly, created beautifully, and loved deeply. Her creativity filled homes, her compassion touched lives, and her spirit continues to shine through every design, painting, and memory she left behind. A visitation will be held at 11:00 a.m., followed by a service at 12:00 p.m. on December 6, 2025, at Palms West Funeral Home and Crematory. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Danny & Ron's Rescue or the Palm Beach Parrot & Bird Rescue, causes close to Mary Lou's heart.