Mary Lou D. Koch

Mary Lou Dotson Koch, 86, lived at Brightmore’s location in Ballantyne. She passed away July 12th, 2018 at the Bob & Carolyn Tucker Hospice in Kannapolis, NC. She was born January 17th, 1932 in Groveport Ohio. Mary Lou was the daughter of Byron Harry Dotson and Alpha Ruth Soncrant Dotson. She was the seventh of eight children and is survived by her sister Marla Ann Dotson. Mary Lou married Richard Edward Koch on May 26th, 1951 and was happily married for over 60 years until his death in November 2011. They had seven children, all of whom survive them: Catherine Koch Schildknecht (David), Richard Martin Koch (Cindy), Anne Koch Hawkins, James Edward Koch, Jeanne Therese Koch Evans (John), Thomas William Koch (Gaone), and John Dominic Koch (Barbara). She is also survived by 21 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren. Mary Lou raised the family in multiple states due to her husband’s career assignments with North American Philips. She was a devoted wife and mother. She infused her children with her love for education and current events, along with a demand for intellectual rigor. Her talents and interests were diverse, ranging from musical excellence with the piano, and a knack for puzzles and games, to her love of history, current events and politics. She devoured books, typically reading multiple books at a time covering topics from civil war history to common day thrillers to political tomes. She enjoyed discussions on a variety of subjects and was always well versed. She loved dogs and had a special place in her heart for her last dog, Liesl. The memorial service will be held at 11 am, July 16th, 2018 at Christ Episcopal Church, 1412 Providence Road, Charlotte NC.