Mary Lou Alberti

Mary Lou (Ficken) Alberti passed away peacefully on April 4, 2017 in Seattle, following a long illness. She was born in Hays, Kansas on October 7, 1936 to Eldred Pete and Louise (Turner) Ficken. She grew up and lived in several small towns in western Kansas, including LaCrosse and Bison. She was preceded in death by her husband Gordon Alberti. She is survived by her daughter Susan Alberti Kenny, son-in-law Jim Kenny, grandchildren Alex and Sarah Kenny of Everett, WA and sister Sandy Ochs of Hays, KS.Mary Lou received her cosmetology license in Kansas and met her husband Gordon in Wichita. They married in Seaside, Oregon on December 31, 1966. They moved to Washington in 1968 and raised their daughter in Redmond. She retired as a hair designed in 2008.Mary Lou worked and owned a hair salon in Bellevue. She loved her clients and several became good friends. She was a hair designer and stood on her feet 12 hours a day for more than 50 years. She always provided for her family.My Mom loved her grandkids very very much and was so proud of their accomplishments. Over the years, she cheered them on at many soccer, football, basketball and baseball games. She attended their band and theatre performances and loved every minute.She had many interests. She loved watching Washington Huskies football games, collecting antiques and perfume bottles, listening to jazz and blues music, and creating glass jewelry. Mary Lou always had dogs since she was young. They were her constant companions. Although she lived in Washington for more than 50 years, Kansas was always home. Sunflowers (and seeds), wheat fields and windy weather reminded her of home. Her wish was to be buried in Bison, KS with her father and Grandma Ficken.In lieu in flowers, donations may be made to Old Dog Haven, href=https://olddoghaven.org https://olddoghaven.org Special thanks to the loving care of Dr. Egnal, Aegis of Shoreline and Northwest Hospital. A celebration of life will be held privately for family and friends.