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 12, 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 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; and 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 Northwest 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 Northwest Ohio, 30000 East River Road, Perrysburg or Shriners Children’s Hospital of Chicago, 2211 N. Park Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60707.
Friends may gather to honor Mary Lu’s memory at Sujkowski-Walker Funeral Home, 830 Lime City Road, Rossford, on Wednesday, September 7, from 4 to 7 p.m., with the Rosary at 7. Funeral services will be Thursday, September 8, at 10:30 a.m., at All Saints Catholic Church, Lime City Road, Rossford. Burial will be in St. Rose Cemetery, Perrysburg.