Mary Llewellyn Pretlow Strough

She was born January 17, 1915 in Chester, Virginia to Dr. Thomas Garrett Pretlow and Frances Llewellyn Ribble Pretlow.

Mary Llew was educated in Chesterfield County Public Schools and earned a BS degree from Richmond Division of William & Mary (VCU) and RN from Stuart Circle Hospital in Richmond and a certification in Public Health from MCV.

She moved to Harrisonburg in 1939, met and married Carl F. Strough August 31, 1940. They were married for 59 years. He preceded her in death on December 31, 1999.

Mary Llew was a Public Health Nurse in Rockingham County for 10 years. She has entertained family and friends for years with fascinating stories of her early nursing experiences. She was most proud of being instrumental by working with local leaders and the state Health Department to initiate tuberculosis care for children; at that time there was none. After leaving public health to raise her family, she was on the faculty at Madison College (JMU) from 1954 to 1972, teaching health education.

She joined the Emmanuel Episcopal Church in 1939; when her children were young she taught Sunday school and later was President of the ECW. She was a member of the Massanutton Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution and a Regent of the chapter.

She was preceded in death by her son, Franklin Pretlow Strough on April 21, 1997.

She is survived by her daughter, Llewellyn Strough Allison and her husband, Ron, of Onancock, VA, daughter-in-law, Dorothy Thompson Strough of Wytheville, VA; two granddaughters, Lisa Rayne and husband, Sean, of Christiansburg, VA and Rebecca Strough Hertling and husband, Ed, of Riner, VA; great-granddaughter, Anna Marie Rayne, two step-great granddaughters, Cassandra Lynette Rayne and Holly Ann Rayne; and one sister, Frances Llewellyn Pretlow of Towson, MD.

The family will receive friends 1-2:00 pm, Friday, January 18, 2013, at Emmanuel Episcopal Church. The casket will be closed. A funeral service will follow at 2:00 pm at the church with The Rev. Daniel Robayo and The Rev. Edward K. Bachschmid officiating. Burial will follow at Woodbine Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Emmanuel Episcopal Church, 660 South Main Street, Harrisonburg, VA 22801.

Lindsey Funeral Home in Harrisonburg is handling arrangements and online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.lindseyharrisonburg.com.