Mary Lou Skok, known as Mary Lou Petty during her Olympic swimming career in the 1930s, has passed away at the age of 98 in Arizona.
Skok competed at the 1936 Olympics in Berlin, taking fourth place in the 400 freestyle. She was also in line to compete in the 1932 Olympics, but the Great Depression hit her family particularly hard, keeping her from competing in the Games.
AZCentral published an excellent profile on Skok this week, ranging from her swimming career to her post-Olympic life. You can read that profile here.
Skok remained involved in athletics and fitness her whole life. She golfed and exercised weekly and was on her way to an exercise class in April, just days shy of 99 years old, when she passed.
A well written obituary. Such passion and sacrifice these athletes from that era had.