Mary K. Strother (McKenzie), 71, a resident of the Forest Grove community, passed away on Wednesday, December 14, 2022, at Jennings-McCall Center in Forest Grove.

MARY KATHERYN STROTHER was born August 10, 1951, in Corvallis, Oregon, the daughter of the late Roderick L. McKenzie and Phyllis Winifred (Kemp) McKenzie. She was raised and received her education in the Corvallis community, having been a graduate of the Corvallis High School Class of 1969.

She was united in marriage to Micheal Ray Mahan in 1969, in Corvallis, Oregon. Following their marriage the couple resided in the Netherlands, where Micheal was stationed while serving in the U.S. Army. The couple’s first child, David, was born in the Netherlands, during Micheal’s posting. Following his discharge, they returned to Oregon, settling in the Klamath Falls community, where Sarah was born. They later resided in Portland and Tualatin before divorcing in 1982.

Mary was a tireless and loving mother, working in restaurant and café management for Greyhound, Tektronix, and more employers, to support her family and taking every opportunity to visit the Oregon Coast with her children. Mary adored the looking out over the Pacific Ocean and eating Dungeness crab. Later, Mary would work as a bartender at Anthony’s Restaurant in Forest Grove, where she met her second husband Raleigh.

On August 30, 1986, Mary was united in marriage to Raleigh Howard Strother in Reno, Nevada. Following their marriage, they lived together in the Forest Grove community. It was during this time that their son James was born. Mary later worked at Fred Meyers in Cornelius for twenty years, until she retired. In 2019, Mary and Raleigh moved to Jennings McCall Retirement Community, where they have been guest-residents since.

Mary was raised in the Episcopal Church. While living in Corvallis, during her youth, Mary was a member of Order of the Eastern Star, Rainbow Girls Chapter #16.

Among her special interests, Mary enjoyed reading novels, crocheting, travelling to Reno, the Oregon Coast, and the East Coast with Raleigh, to visit her in-laws.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents, Roderick and Phyllis McKenzie, her stepfather Ken Johnson, and her brother, Paul McKenzie.

Survivors include her husband, Raleigh Strother, of Forest Grove, Oregon; her five children and their spouses, David and Candy Mahan, of Marysville, Washington; Sarah “Kate” and Doug Eriksen, of Seattle, Washington; James “Jamie” and Danielle Strother, of Forest Grove, Oregon; Robin and Ron, of Ocean City, Maryland and Tim Strother, of Forest Grove, Oregon and her brother, Mike McKenzie, of Corvallis, Oregon. Also surviving are her 13 grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

The family suggests that remembrances may be contributions to the LBDA, Lewy Body Dementia Association, 912 Killian Hill Road S.W., Lilburn, Georgia, 30047, in her memory.