SMYRNA - Mary Lou (Verdon) Joseph passed peacefully surrounded by her loving family on Oct. 6, 2015. She was born in Milburn, N.J. and grew up in Coral Gables Florida. She attended Washington College in Chestertown, Md. where she met her husband Ebe the very first week she arrived. She graduated from Delaware State University and then earned a Master's in Education from Wilmington University. She taught at Caesar Rodney High School for 32 years. She and Ebe made their home in Smyrna starting in 1960. They raised their three girls on Lake Drive until recently when they bought a new home earlier this year. After they both retired from teaching, they enjoyed traveling the country. Mary Lou's favorite places were the Southwest and Northeast. She enjoyed her time with the family, with Christmas being her favorite time of year. She is preceded in death by her parents, Franklyn and Myrtle Verdon, her sister Mary Ellen Spekto, father-in-law, Ebe Joseph Sr., and mother-in-law Mabel Joseph. She will be deeply missed by her husband of almost 59 years, Ebe Joseph; her three daughters, Karen Burke, Kelley Willoughby (Robert), and Kathi Moxley; her grandchildren, John Burke, Erin Newcomb (Larry), Nikki Rigney (Dalton), Jake Willoughby, Kate Daye, and Dylan Moxley; a great-grandson Liam Newcomb; her sisters, Colleen Quinn, Valerie Yarnall, and Myrtle Cook; her brothers, Tim, Terry, and Kevin Verdon; and her brother and sister-in-law John Wayne and Diane Joseph. She will be greatly missed by family and friends. The family would like to express their gratitude to the many friends and family that were so supportive over the past few months. Services will be private. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the American Cancer Society, 92 Reads Way, New Castle, Del. 19720 or 1-800-227-2345. To sign the online guestbook, please visit www.matthewsbryson.com. Arrangements are by Matthews-Bryson Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Smyrna.