COLUMBIA Edith Donaldson Strasburger, 93, died Monday, September 21, 2020. She was born April 14, 1927 in Manhattan, N.Y. but grew up in Hollis, N.Y. She was the daughter of Rev. Frank L.P. Donaldson and Drew Nash Donaldson and was a descendent of three Mayflower settlers.
She met her late husband, Leroy Strasburger, in 1946 in New York City while taking summer courses at Columbia University, prior to graduating from Mt. Holyoke College in 1948. She and Roy were married in April, 1948 by her father in Mt. Holyoke’s Abby Chapel. While Roy was employed by General Electric, they lived in Chicago and then Cincinnati, where daughter Carol was born. They moved to Roy’s hometown, Columbia, S.C., in January, 1952.
Edith loved Columbia, particularly in the spring when the camellias, azaleas, and dogwoods were in bloom. She loved to grow all kinds of plants and trees and had a beautiful yard with prized camellias. Although born in New York, she was a “Southern” lady at heart. She was kind, loving, and gracious to everyone she met and had an amazing gift that endeared her to others by making each person feel special. Their Adger Road home was a warm and loving place, where hospitality was shown to all. She was a wonderful cook and her Sunday and holiday dinners with family, friends, and pastors will be fondly remembered by many.
Edith was of Scottish decent, a life-long Presbyterian, and joined Eastminster Presbyterian Church in Columbia in April, 1952. She was the first woman elected as an elder in 1974 and the first woman elected as Moderator of Presbytery in 1985. She was awarded an honorary life membership by the Women of the Church and helped plan the Eastminster Memorial Garden. In addition, she held many more positions of service at her beloved church.
Edith was active in Columbia as a member of the United Way Fund, the Richland County Library Board (she loved to read), the Columbia Symphony Orchestra Board, and president of the Columbia Council for Internationals. She was the developer and president of Woodridge Memorial Park in Lexington, S.C., where she will be laid to rest next to Roy.
Edith was the most wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and aunt. She deeply loved her family and they were the light of her life. She is survived by her brother, Dr. John Franklin Donaldson (Barbara) of Sarasota, FL; her sister-in-law, Mary Kohn Strasburger of Columbia; her daughter, Carol Drew Hoefer (Ted) of Crystal Lake, IL; her son, Richard Leroy Strasburger (Norwood) of Spartanburg, S.C., and her son, Frank Donaldson Strasburger (Julie) of Columbia. She is also survived by grandchildren, Whit Hoefer, Jori Hoefer Andler (David), Lee Strasburger (Mathavi), Andrew Strasburger, JJ Hammond (Megan), Jordan Hammond (Keren), and Jill Hammond Kinch (Jason). Additionally, she is survived by great-grandchildren, Lily and Liam Andler, Rish Strasburger, Grace, Claire, Thomas, Thaddeus, Julia, Charlotte, Tripp, Joanna, Lukas, Silas, Michael, and Abigail Hammond and Ezra and Ethan Kinch AND many wonderful nieces and nephews.
Most of all, she wanted to be remembered as someone who loved the Lord Jesus Christ with all her heart, soul, and mind. She believed she was blessed by Him for her entire life and tried to show others His Love. A favorite saying of hers was: “Love never dies, it lives forever.”
A Service of the Witness to the Resurrection will be held graveside in Woodridge Memorial Park at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, September 25, 2020. Those attending are asked to wear protective masks and to social distance due to Covid-19.
The family would like to give heart-felt gratitude to nurses, Nancy Bowers, Susie Solomon, Robin Wilson, and Cheryl James; the staff at All Seasons Eldercare and Hospice; and Bright Star Care.
It is requested that flowers not be sent. Memorials may be made to Eastminster Presbyterian Church, 3200 Trenholm Road, Columbia, SC 29204 or to Gideons International, PO Box 6227, Columbia, SC 29260.
Dunbar Funeral Home, Devine Street Chapel, is assisting the family.
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