Pioneering Tech Exec Mary Lou Hely Dies at 74

Mary Lou Hely, a pioneering woman in the tech industry, passed away on September 16, 2026, at the age of 74. She had been living with ALS for almost two years but continued to live life to the fullest.

Born and raised in Westfield, New Jersey, Mary Lou was an early entrant into computer network servicing, developing word processors that would eventually be used on a US naval ship. In 1979, she embarked on an extended cruise aboard the USS Nimitz to support the new systems.

Throughout her career, which spanned multiple decades and various companies, including Synoptics and Cisco Systems, Mary Lou remained committed to community activities and volunteering. After retiring from Siemens Ultrasound, she returned to the East Coast to be closer to her family and settled in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.