Mary Lou Kolanko

Published by TBO.com on 10/14/2007.

KOLANKO, Mary Lou, 75, of Tampa, passed away October 9. 2007, at St Joseph' s Hospital.

She is survived by her sister, Theresa Marron of Tampa, and her brother, Theodore Kolanko of Weirton, W.Va. She was preceded in death by her parents, Mary and John Kolanko; as well as by four brothers, John, Anthony, Francis and Edward; and a sister, Stella Sullivan.

Mary Lou was Roman Catholic by faith. She served 14 years as a nun for the Franciscan Order, and taught for 38 years at St. Lawrence School, as well as H.W. Blake School in Tampa.

Mary Lou played professional baseball for the AAGPBL, where she was a lead-off hitter for the Peoria, Ind., and Springfield, Ind., teams. She was an excellent bunter and base stealer.

During her 38 years of teaching, she was instrumental in introducing sport programs in schools where they did not already exist.

Private funeral services are pending.