Mary Lou was born 10-13-27 in Fairmont, WV, to Dr. John Edward Offner and Magdalene Sowers Offner. She spent her early years in Weston, WV, attended Fairmont High School and graduated from Stephens College in Columbia, MO. After her father’s death in 1951, she left Weston for New York City where she met Hans H. Stroo, a Dutch physician on a student visa, working at Mt. Sinai Hospital. Their lasting love led to a marriage of 63 years. Four children were born: Hans, who later married Nicola Benston; Eric, who married Cynthia Leary, and more recently Melissa Skelton; Brian, who lives with Kip White; and Nora, who married Nolen Brown. There are six grandchildren: Marissa and Eric Stephen Stroo, Sara Elloie and Hans Daniel Stroo, and Kelsey and Adrian Brown. Mary Lou brought lasting love to our lives, a lesson of love that we hope will never die. In lieu of flowers, consider making a gift to ACCESS, the Community Action Agency of Jackson County—online or by mail, www.accesshelps.org or PO Box 4666, Medford, OR 97504. Kindly note that the gift is in honor of Mary Lou Stroo.
