Mary Lou Carrillo, 81, a longtime resident of Fillmore and Piru, passed away on Thursday, October 18, 2018.

Mary Lou was born on February 9, 1937, in Los Angeles. At the age of nine she moved to Piru, where she resided for many years before eventually settling in Fillmore. Mary Lou's fondest childhood memories were forged behind the counter in the Bluebird Cafe in Piru, (a building her daughter and son-in-law now own), where her mother provided for the family by serving food and tending bar.

Mary Lou attended Fillmore High School, and was a proud graduate of the Flashes class of 1955. During her time at FHS she majored in Home Economics and Bookkeeping, receiving special recognition for her skills in Home Economics at the end of her senior year.

After having corresponded with him during his deployment in the Korean War, Mary Lou married the love of her life, Henry "Hank" Carrillo, in 1956. She went on to become a mother to two children, Richard and Lori, whom she cared for with an abundance of affection while also maintaining a full-time job.

Throughout her career Mary Lou continued to utilize her bookkeeping skills, working in financial management and record-keeping at Security Pacific Bank, Ventura County Fruit Growers, and finally, at Ladera Fruit Company.

After retiring from her position at Ladera Fruit Company, Mary Lou enjoyed traveling with her husband, playing slot machines in Laughlin and Las Vegas, Nevada, and most of all, spending time with her grandchildren. She was well-known for showering her grandchildren with love; often attending their sporting events, bringing them gifts from her travels, and calling them on their birthdays to sing "Happy Birthday" through the telephone.

In addition to all the above, Mary Lou also maintained active involvement in the Fillmore community throughout her lifespan. She served as an officer for the Fillmore High School Athletic Booster Club for many years, volunteered as a youth cheer coach, and played on, and helped organize, a women's community softball team, entitled, the Hit & Mrs.

Mary Lou continued to support and donate to Fillmore youth organizations until her passing. In fact, one of Mary Lou's final acts was to donate funds to the Fillmore High School Football team so that the players could be fed a pancake breakfast before this year's rivalry game versus the Santa Paula Cardinals. The triumph of the Flashes over the Cardinals in that game surely put a smile on Mary Lou and her husband, Hank's, faces.

Mary Lou will be most remembered for her kind-hearted nature, open-hearted acceptance of all those who knew her, and the love of music she carried in her soul.

Mary Lou is preceded in death by her husband of 50 years, Henry "Hank" Carrillo. She is survived by her son, Richard; daughter-in-law, Jana; daughter, Lori; son-in-law, Bobby; grandchildren, Ricky Myers, Becky Rojas, Christin Richter, Breanna McLain, Joseph Henry Carrillo, Kellsie McLain, Carson McLain, and Presley Lou McLain; great-grandchildren, Drew Myers, Adam Myers, Megan Fluker, Dominic Henry Rojas, Makya Richter, Zachary Richter, Joseph Richard Carrillo, and Jaxson Myers.

Graveside services will be held at Bardsdale Cemetery on Monday, November 5th at 1 p.m., with a reception to follow.

Donations in Mary Lou's honor can be made to the Fillmore/Piru Heritage Valley American Cancer Society Relay for Life.