Elizabeth (Chichi) Horter Strickler, 102, died June 22, 2011 peacefully in her home at Lenbrook Square, where she had lived since 1993. She was born in Havana, Cuba, June 1, 1909, the only daughter of Helen Dyer and John Zunts Horter of New Orleans, Louisiana. Her father went to Cuba just after the Spanish American War in 1899 and started his own machinery and implement business, which was highly successful for five decades. He was the distributor for Caterpillar Tractor, John Deere, Atlanta’s King Plow and Samson Windmills. He sold the first metal plow to a Cuban farmer, no small achievement in a country that had used nothing but an iron shod bent stick pulled by oxen up until then. He also built the first American owned office building that housed, not only his own business, but also the American Embassy and Consulate offices.
Chichi was predeceased by her husband of 65 years, Dr. Cyrus W. Stickler, Jr., in 1998. Dr. Strickler, Jr., a native Atlantan, followed in the footsteps of his father, Dr. Cyrus Strickler, Sr., serving as President of Emory University Hospital Staff, Chairman of the Board of Fulton County Medical Society and serving two years in the Emory Unit 43rd General Hospital in World War II.
During the early years of their marriage they often visited Havana, including the 50th Wedding Anniversary of Chichi’s mother and father in 1954.
Chichi graduated from Spence School in New York City in 1928. After a three year summer courtship, she married her sweetheart, Cy, in 1933, in Linville, N.C. They lived for two years in Ann Arbor, Michigan, as Cy finished his medical internship at the University of Michigan Medical School, after which, they returned to Atlanta and Cy joined his father in the practice of medicine.
Chichi served as a Pink Lady at the Lawson General Hospital, built temporarily in the 40’s to care for wounded soldiers returning to the U.S. for treatment during World War II. She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church, member and President of the Peachtree Garden Club, member of the Piedmont Driving Club, the Capital City Club, the Linville Golf and Country Club, the Junior League and the last surviving member of the Loose Lip Ladies.
She is survived by her son John H. Strickler, a retired banker, his wife Anita Van Buskirk; son Cyrus W. Strickler III, a retired Delta Airlines Pilot and owner/manager of the Tophat Soccer Club, his wife Palmer DuBose; son David W. Strickler, retired from the Travel Business; one grandson, Dr. John H. Strickler, Jr.; seven granddaughters, Dr. Kathryn S. McLeod and husband, David; Elizabeth S. Taylor and husband, Alex; Anne S. Mitchell and husband Bill; Leigh Warren Strickler; Jeane Elizabeth Strickler; Laura Palmer Strickler; Helen Louise Strickler; and seven great grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, June 25 at the First Presbyterian Church at 11:00 AM. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the First Presbyterian Church of Atlanta or the Charity of your choice. Online condolences may be made at hmpattersonspringhill.com.
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