Mary Tait Lopez

Mary Tait Lopez, a devoted, selfless mother and loving wife, was tragically killed on July 31, 2025, while riding her bicycle.

Mary was born on December 30, 1960, in Gulfport Mississippi. A former cheerleader who loved to be the life of the party, Mary was characterized by her unwavering love for her family and her vibrant personality which illuminated the lives of many people. She met her husband, an Air Force and now American Airlines pilot, in Gulfport where they started a family. They would eventually settle in the Pensacola area, where Mary enjoyed entertaining and cooking for her loved ones, boating with her husband, gardening, swimming in her pool, and a recent dedication to health and fitness. Her passing leaves a profound void in the lives of those she leaves behind.

She is preceded in death by her father, David Tait; and her grandparents, Oren and Lois Necaise. She is survived by her husband of 32 years, Don Lopez; her two beloved children, Dylan Lopez and Madison Lopez (Brandon Lane); her mother, Charlene Gardner (Donald Gardner); her cherished sisters, Charla Necaise and Sheila Vigilanti (Barry Vigilanti); her brother, Shannon Gardner; her nieces Tosha McMahan (Jerrod McMahan) and Tara Vigilanti; her nephew, Joshua Gardner; her great-niece, Makenna McMahan; and her great-nephew, Hudson McMahan. Her legacy of love, laughter and liveliness will live on through the memories she created and the countless lives she touched. As we prepare to say our goodbyes, we invite those whose lives were enriched by Mary to join us in honoring her memory.

Visitation will be held on August 5, 2025, from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM at Riemann Family Funeral Home,11280 Three Rivers Road, Gulfport, Mississippi. The funeral service will follow at 2:00 PM, and she will be laid to rest at Gulf Pines Cemetery in Long Beach, Mississippi, at 3:00 PM. She will be dearly missed.

Riemann Family Funeral Home, Gulfport is assisting the family.