Mary Pearce Strohl

MARY LOUISE PEARCE STROHL was born in the village of Lake Linden in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Her parents, Ransom Pearce and Gail Henrietta Carpenter Pearce, hung a yellow towel out of the hospital window to announce her arrival. Mary Louise grew up with three siblings amongst many aunts, uncles and cousins. She attended the Lake Linden public schools, graduating from high school in 1949 as class valedictorian. She attended Oberlin College for two years and then transferred to Purdue University to complete her education in textile science where she graduated “With Highest Distinction.”

It was at Purdue that she met her future husband, Tom, at a get acquainted “sock hop”. Upon graduation,  Mary Louise was employed by DuPont de Nemours Company in Wilmington, Delaware. Less than than a year later, she married Thomas M. Strohl in her parent’s home on April 24, 1954 Mary Louise became an instant military wife and served with Tom in the Air Force for the next 22 years raising three children and volunteering for Numerous community activities. While living in Germany, she volunteered and worked at a Red Cross refugee center during the Hungarian Uprising of 1956.

After Tom completed his Air Force career, Mary Louise continued her education at the University of California at Berkeley to satisfy her passion for literature and reading. Armed with a Master of Library Science degree, she was employed by the Sacramento City-County Libraries for 15 years and later was Regional Manager of the Lacey Timberland Library in Washington State. Five years later, Mary Louise retired and returned to her home in Davis, California.

She is a member of the Alpha Chi Omega Sorority, PEO, Beta Phi Mu Library Service Honor Society, and was a Master Gardener.

For the next 15 years Mary Louise and Tom traveled, visited family and friends, and devoted themselves to restoring their beloved 100 year old family cottage located on Lake Superior. This is where Mary Louise’s soul and spirit reside.

They sold their California home and relocated to a senior retirement community near Denver, Colorado. Having been diagnosed with progressive dementia, she vacated her senior apartment in 2016 in favor of the nearby memory care center. There she resided until her death enjoying the loving care and attention of her husband, family, and dedicated caregivers.

She is survived by her husband, Tom; sister Carol Greene (Frank) of Montreal, Quebec, Canada; daughter, Susan Strohl (James Looney) of Centennial, Colorado; son Steven Strohl (Betsey) of Albuquerque, New Mexico; daughter-in-law Nancy Reese of Nevada City, California; grandson David Holder (Sara); granddaughter Sarah Donovan (Erik) and great-grandchildren Evan and Kaylee. A son, Richard, pre-deceased her.

A Celebration of the Life of Mary Louse will be held Saturday, March 23, 2024, 2pm, Horan & McConaty Family Chapel, 5303 E. County Line Road, Centennial. 

The family suggests that any memorials be donated to the Alzheimer’s Association.