Mary Louise (Crume) Nichols passed away peacefully surrounded by family at her home in Florissant, Missouri, on October 30, 2020. Mary, or Mary Lou as she was known to many, was born in Ferguson, Missouri, on September 1, 1946 to Mary M. (Chase) and William A. Crume. A third-generation resident, she lived in Ferguson for most of her life. She graduated from McCluer High School in 1964 and Illinois Wesleyan University in 1968, where she received a Bachelor of Fine Arts and was a member of the art honor society. In 1984, she received a Master of Arts in Design from Lindenwood University.

Mary's life was a study in creativity, compassion, and generosity. She discovered her passion and talent for art at a very young age, sparked by a Diego Rivera mural on a family trip to Mexico. She was encouraged and celebrated by her family and friends, and her life partner Steve Lawson, a musician and artist, was a special champion and co-creator. Mary was an artist in heart, soul, and action—she always had a paintbrush or sketchbook within easy reach—and she touched many, many lives through her gift as an inspirational artist and dedicated art educator, including through her 23-year tenure teaching children at the St. Louis Art Museum.

Through her art, Mary brought us beauty, hope, healing, love, and levity. From early on, she pursued a wide range of highly original artistic and creative endeavors—influenced by her heritage (William Merritt Chase is an ancestor) and artists of diverse styles (such as Frida Kahlo, Georgia O'Keeffe, and Vincent van Gogh). Her works exploring nature and human nature helped us understand the world through her eyes and our own. She showed us hope in the tragic and beauty in the misunderstood. She gave life, color, and permanence to the people, places, and animals she loved. Mary was especially fond of cats—she had more than 20 during her life—and insects of all types, which appear frequently in her work.

Mary was an extremely supportive and loving mother, partner, sister, aunt, and friend. She encouraged her family and friends, unwaveringly, to explore their creative pathways. She was kind to everyone she met and had a peaceful, fun spirit. In her everyday generosity, she showed us what it truly means to be selfless and compassionate.

Mary had a rare gift: Everyday she lived her passion and purpose on this Earth, and she leaves her family and friends rich with an indelible legacy—surrounded by her art, memories held tight in our hearts, better for having loved her.

Mary will be loved and remembered by her life partner Steve Lawson; her daughter Melisa Holman and husband Bradley Carter; her son Andrew Holman and partner Ann Montgomery; her sister Susan Montgomery and husband Todd Montgomery; her brother Richard Crume and wife Yoko Crume; and her nieces and nephews, Elizabeth Moser, Kristin Mekeel, Tripp Montgomery, David Mekeel, and Hana Crume Elliott, as well as their partners and children.

Mary's family will be planning a celebration of her life when the pandemic subsides and it is safe to gather. If you would like to join her family in honoring Mary's life, please consider supporting one of her favorite places to observe nature, the Audubon Center at Riverlands. Checks can be mailed to 301 Riverlands Way, West Alton, MO 63386. Please specify that your gift is in memory of Mary Louise Crume Nichols. If you donate online, please also email kbuchholz@audubon.org and indicate that your gift is in memory of Mary Louise Crume Nichols. Your donation will be directed toward the Riverlands Outdoor Wellness Series, which offers art in nature classes.