Mary R. (Strauser) Stahr

Mary R. Stahr

Liverpool, PA

On the evening of August 17, 2024, Mary R. (Strauser) Stahr entered into eternal rest at her home surrounded by her loved ones.

Born on March 17, 1942, Mary was the daughter of the late David Roy and Rhoda Maizie (Kline) Strauser.  Preceding her in death were brothers Lester, Luke, David, and Phillip and sisters, Esther and Martha.  She is survived by sisters Orpha and Rhoda and brothers Amos and Herman.  Mary loved to retell stories from her childhood of the adventures she and her siblings had growing up on their family farm.

Married on September 16, 1960, to Norman E. Stahr, the two celebrated 60 years of marriage before his passing on December 17, 2020.  The two raised 4 children, Carey “Cork” Stahr, who preceded them in death in 2019, Trudy Dunn, Trina Smith, and Tricia Wagner. They built and lived in many homes.  They eventually settled again in the Oriental area.  Mary worked in several local shirt factories in her younger life.  However, she retired after 23 years of service at the Selinsgrove Center.  During her retirement, Mary took great joy in cooking and helping coordinate pot pie suppers for Dressler’s Ridge Church.  Mary and Norman loved road trips, and particularly loved the Bad Lands, Redwoods, and visiting Tennessee.

They created a large outspoken family together.  They have 10 grandchildren: Holly, Tammy, Daniel, Lindsay, Kenton, Sargeant Melvin Smith II, Ariel, Dalton, Noel, and Nickolas.  They also have 10 great-grandchildren: Jillian, Emily, Kyan, Averi, Victoria, Ahnyka, Mazie, Lilliana, Augustus, Fiora, and another expected in September; and great-great-grandchild, Harrison.

Mary was mostly a soft-spoken woman, but she could be fierce when it came to the people and things she believed in.  She enjoyed gardening, puzzling, cooking, and birdwatching.   Though she was often a quiet observer, Mary’s joy was being surrounded by those she loved, and visits from any child lit up her face.  Her witty comments were unexpected, but hilarious.  Mary and her rare, but beautiful smile will be greatly missed by many.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Mary’s memory to The Samaritan’s Purse or St. Jude Children’s Hospital which Mary and Norman supported.

A viewing will be held on Friday, August 23, 2024, from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the funeral service at 10:30 a.m. at Dressler’s Ridge Church with Pastor Rob Paire officiating.

Interment will immediately follow in Dressler’s Ridge Church Cemetery.