MARY LOU NECKEL-JAMES of Bedford OH died November 15 at the Cleveland Clinic.  She was born in Erie PA on December 20, 1946.  After high school, she became a member of the Sisters of St. Joseph and graduated from Villa Maria College in 1972 with a BS in Elementary Education.  In 1978 she obtained a Masters in Religious Education from Boston College.  While in the convent, she served as an elementary school teacher, director of religious education and a pastoral minister.  In 1988 Mary Lou left the convent and moved to Cleveland where she worked as a diocesan catechetical consultant for over twenty years, becoming a Certified Pastoral Minister in 2006.  In 2001 she married James Kenneth James (Jesse) at the Church of the Resurrection in Solon OH.  They loved to dance to 50's and 60's music, travel to visit family and friends, play dominoes and cuddle with their 3 cats.  Mary Lou's passion was the beach whether it was the shores of Lake Erie or the Atlantic Ocean.  Mary Lou leaves behind her beloved husband Jesse, brother Dan Neckel (Joanne) of Fairfax VA, brother Don Neckel of Erie PA, one niece, two nephews and their spouses and children.  In lieu of flowers family suggests contributions to Church of the Resurrection.  Visiting will be held at Church of the Resurrection, 32001 Cannon Rd, Solon OH on Wednesday, November 18, 2020 from 10:00 A.M. to 11:00 A.M. followed by Mass of Christian Burial 11:00 A.M. Mass will be live streamed on the church web site.  Interment at Holy Cross Cemetery.