Mary Lu Stratso

The sun had not risen on Sunday morning, but Mary Lu could wait no longer. She passed away in the early hours of Sunday, August 28, in Hospice of Northwest Ohio. She was born in Tiffin, Ohio, on July 17, 1940, to parents Carl J. and Helen C. (Thiery) Sauber. Her family moved to Bellevue, Ohio, when she was twelve and she was a 1958 graduate of Bellevue High School. She married David A. Stratso on June 17, 1961, and relocated with him as his career took him to Lancaster, Ohio, New Jersey, and then to Toledo. They settled in Perrysburg in 1973, where they raised their family of three daughters: Nancy, Betsy, and Cynthia.

Mary Lu’s sister, Nancy Newell, predeceased her at a young age and who forever maintained a special place in her heart. She is survived by husband, Dave and their three daughters, Nancy Szczublewski (Greg), grandsons Corey (Angela), Kyle (Sara), and Casey. Three great grandsons, Hank, Jay, and Carl. Betsy Noonan (John), grandsons Scott, Blake, and Joshua. Cynthia Bojarski (Joseph), and grandson Christian. Her nephew, Steve Newell, (Lea) remained close to Mary Lu, and to whom she was totally devoted.

Mary Lu was a secretary during her outside the home career, working in the Bellevue school system, Upper Arlington School District and 23 years at Woodland Elementary in Perrysburg. As a homemaker she was without equal. As the girls entered school, she began her career at Woodland, maintaining the home and care of family without any decline in efficiency or quality of care. Her official title at Woodland was School Secretary, but her impact was that of Assistant Principal. Or, as she would frequently refer to herself, “Mother Superior.” Mary Lu was a class lady with impeccable taste in everything and sought perfection in every endeavor. She was a grammar fanatic. But at the same time there was a lovable innocence about her, as she could throw out the most humorous malapropisms. If the world could only match her civility.

She loved her friends at Woodland, her All Saints Catholic church friends, and embraced all her Hamlet neighbors. Mary Lu was active at All Saints and was involved until her physical strength began to fade. She had an unwavering faith, and her church became her focus in retirement.

There are many deserving a thank you for all the support given to our family. We do want to especially thank the superbly caring staff at Hospice of NW Ohio. Truly words cannot describe her care because it is an attitude and sensitivity to suffering that evades description. Memorials may be considered to Hospice of NW Ohio, 30000 East River Rd., Perrysburg or Shriners Children’s Hospital of Chicago, 2211 N. Park Ave., Chicago, IL 60707. Friends may gather to honor Mary Lu’s memory at Sujkowski-Walker funeral home, 830 Lime City Rd, Rossford on Wednesday, September 7, from 4 PM to 7 PM, with the rosary at 7. Funeral service will be Thursday, September 8, at 10:30 AM, All Saints Catholic Church, Lime City Road, Rossford. Burial in St. Rose Cemetery, Perrysburg.