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MARY LOUISE (WALSH) STRAW
April 27, 1936 ˜ January 16, 2019
Mary Louise (Walsh) Straw, 82, of Vancouver, WA and formerly of Stow, OH, passed away on January 16th in Vancouver, WA.
She was born in Detroit, MI to Edmund and Mary Walsh on April 27, 1936. Mary went to high school at St. Rose of Lima in Detroit, and attended college at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, where she graduated with honors (BA, Political Science).
While attending college, she met Joseph John Straw, and they were married on June 13, 1959.
Mary was an adoring and devoted wife, mother, and grandmother, with an exquisite Irish humor, wit, and panache, as demonstrated in these farewell words to her children:
“I was a good mother (judging by how well you all turned out), so I expect you to grieve for me and miss me, but remember this: I lived as I wanted to and married the exact person I was meant for, and although he was a handful, he was worth it. In 42 years with your father, I never ever walked into a room with him that I didn’t know he was the best man in that room or any other. You children were each a handful in your own particular ways, but you were worth it, too. I think you’ve all turned out grand. Pray for me, as I had a temper and was critical of others, and I didn’t suffer fools gladly. Oops, there I go, being critical again.”
Mary is survived by her five loving children and their spouses: Joseph Straw (wife Tamera) of Marietta, OH, Kathleen Zornick (husband Russell) of Vancouver, WA, Jonathan Straw (wife My) of Vancouver, WA, Julia Beaver of Alliance, OH and Thomas Straw (wife Jennifer) of Pittsburgh, PA; sister, Joan Klimsak; nephew, John Klimsak;nieces, Jeanie Klimsak andJulianne Vazquez; grandchildren, David, Alex, Nicholas, Joseph, Julian, Jordan, Olivia, Rowan and Natalia; and last but not least, her beloved dog, Ivy.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Edmund and Mary Walsh (Collins); husband, Joseph Straw; and grandson, Elijah Christopher Straw.
Funeral services will be held at 11 AM, Thursday, January 24th at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church in Camas, WA. Burial will follow in April at St. Casimir Cemetery in Castle Shannon, PA. Arrangements are by Hamilton-Mylan Funeral Home in Vancouver.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given in Mary’s name to Catholic Charities USA (https://www.catholiccharitiesusa.org) or Smile Train (https://my.smiletrain.org/).
All the Straw family wishes to extend our heartfelt thanks to all doctors, nurses, and staff at the ICU of Legacy Hospital of Salmon Creek, and to all nurses and staff at Community Hospice in Vancouver.
Please sign her guest book @ www.columbian.com/obits
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
5 Entries
Sharing a memory .....we were new to the neighborhood in Stow with three young children. It was 1978 just following the blizzard. Mary came to welcome me along with a delicious pie. I appreciated her kindness.
Peggy Salerno
January 23, 2019
Peggy Salerno
January 23, 2019
In 1976 I spent 4 months on detail at her husband Joe's Social Security Office in Akron. In appreciation, Joe and Mary had my wife and I and our many children over for a delicious lasagna dinner at their home in Stow. We never forgot their graciousness as well as the wonderful meal! That's the only time we ever met Mary, but we were so impressed by her wit and mild manner.
As a short post script, let me add that Joe Straw was the finest person that I met during my long career in SSA. All hyperbole aside, he was the most intelligent as well.
I'm certain that they are happy to be reunited in heaven.
David Shepley
January 23, 2019
jacky harsch
January 23, 2019
What a loving obituary. I can just hear Mary saying her goodbye. Mary's wit, humor and sarcasm were a joy at our pinochle table. Love and sympathy to your family.
jacky harsch
January 23, 2019
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Hamilton-Mylan Funeral Home, Inc. - Vancouver302 W. 11th Street, Vancouver, WA 98660
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