Mary Louise Verdier died peacefully at her home on November 25, 2019.  She was born in Lafayette, LA to the late William H. and Fannie Cushman Cantrelle on August 13, 1925.  She graduated from Lafayette High School as salutatorian and received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Southwestern Louisiana Institute where she was a member of Sigma Sigma Sigma sorority.  After graduation, she worked for both the Dean of Admission and Dean of Administration on campus where she met Stanworth Verdier who was serving as Commandant of Cadets and Professor for the Air Force ROTC.  They were married on May 12, 1951.

Stan and Mary Louise's Air Force career took them to Aldeburgh, England, Dayton, Ohio and ultimately to Vandenberg AFB in 1957.  After leaving employment with The Boeing Company in 1965, Mary Louise enjoyed helping others in need.  She was also a 'self-taught' gourmet cook and spent hours copying recipes to try for family and friends.

In later years, despite being legally blind, Mary Louise continued to touch the lives around her, especially her caregivers, with her warm smile, positive attitude and caring interest in their lives.  Besides teaching them different aspects of cooking, she shared with them her love for the Bible by having them read Scripture to her.

Stan and Mary Louise were members of both the Sana Maria and Lompoc First United Methodist Churches.  In addition, for 40 years, and up until her death, she was an active member of the Village Circle, a Bible study group of retired military wives.  Mary Louise also had a love for traveling in England and made several trips back to England to enjoy the people and the country.

While Mary Louise had no children, she and Stan had multiple Dachshund dogs who brought love and enjoyment to their lives.  She was preceded in death by her husband, Stanworth; her parents; two brothers, Billy and Bingham (who was killed in action in World War II) and her sister Bettie.  She is survived by seven nieces, two nephews and numerous great nieces and nephews who loved her and enjoyed visiting her in California.  For the past several years, she has been surrounded by loving caregivers and special friends who have been 'family' to her through the love and support they provided to her and her extended family.  She accepted all of them as gifts from God.

The family would like to thank all the individuals who loved and served her in her last years, including Assisted Home Health and Hospice who was with her during the last several months of her life.

A private celebration of life will be held in the future.