Mary Lou was born in Chicago, Illinois on October 5, 1934 to Helen and Leonard Smith, both professional musicians at the time in nightclubs and theatres. Her extended name came about due to her mother being desperate for a baby girl. A good Irish Catholic, she prayed to the Virgin Mary promising that if she were blessed with a daughter, she would name her Mary. As per usual, the Virgin Mary came through and a girl was born. 

Mary's middle two names have a very special and deep family connection. The name Louise came from Leonard's mother Louisa, daughter of a Hessian Civil War cavalry veteran/farmer/bar and dance hall owner, and Leonard's younger sister Louise. Both women were tremendously gifted pianists who also sang and danced. Sadly, Leonard's beloved mother and sister died in separate incidents before he turned 21. The name Catherine came from Helen's Irish grandmother Catherine (Collins) Daly and Helen's treasured younger sister Catherine who died at age 27; three names, one sacred lineage for theGallagher-Smith family.

Mary Lou was an outgoing child who danced and played piano and was, according to herself, a "terrible student." Because her parents were out earning a living in the Chicago clubs, she spent a considerable amount of time with her younger brother Dan who shared the love of music and laughter, and remained close for her entire life. She was particularly fond of her Irish draper (tailor) grandfather Daniel FrancisGallagher whom she nicknamed "Doppy."

In the summer of 1948, the Smith family picked up and moved to Alhambra to pursue the entertainment business, Mary Lou made new lifelong friends in high school and college, attending Mount Saint Mary's and Ramona Convent. She continued her piano studies, was a school cheerleader and received her degree in early childhood education. In 1956, at the age of 21, she married William Hamilton Haller, a U.S. Marine sharpshooter, and gave birth to Catherine Ellen, William Daniel and Gregory Joseph Haller within four years. 

From the early 1960's, Mary Lou taught for the La Habra City School District at elementary schools Arbolita, Las Positas, Valencia and Tierra Rica, as well as Washington Jr. High. To earn extra money, she also taught summer school, typically at Las Lomas, offering classes in arts and crafts and folk guitar. She loved to papier mache and make big paper flowers for decorations. For nearly a decade, Mary Lou would bowl every Thursday night with her fellow educators. Her average was somewhere between 140 and160. She had her own ball and bag, but rented her shoes. She was a dedicated teacher, adored her students, and found team teaching with her pals extremely fulfilling. She absolutely loved to laugh and shared that laughter with everyone she came in contact with. During her down time, she would knit, crochet and sew just like her mother.

As Cathy, Bill and Greg got older, Mary Lou focused her energies into the La Habra community. She was elected the founding president of the La Habra Cultural Arts Committee and spearheaded the creation of The La Habra Depot Theatre and The La Habra Children's Museum. Ready for a fresh and new challenge after two decades of the educational system, Mary Lou cashed in her pension and started Dance Etc., a storefront dance studio on Imperial Boulevard in Yorba Linda. It was an instant success and soon expanded into a second storefront. The spirit and traditions of Dance Etc. continue to this day as Momentum Dance Center of Yorba Linda directed by daughter Cathy Lozano and granddaughter Amber Case.

Never one to sit still and rest on her laurels, Mary Lou created a Victorian comedy and vocal group called"Dames At Tea" which toured the Southern California area for several years raising money for charities. A plant enthusiast, she also volunteered and oversaw a variety of seasonal programs at the Fullerton Arboretum including leading the development of Childrens Garden, Haunted Garden, Art in The Park and more. Her efforts earned her a Volunteer of the Year award.

Mary Louise Catherine (Smith) Haller was a beautiful, bright, dynamic, fun-loving, tough as nails, protective force of nature. She was a daughter, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. She touched so many lives and was loved by so many! 

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