Alyce Lorraine Stroh

Alyce Lorraine Stroh, 99, peacefully left this world on January 24th, 2013. Alyce was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, friend, and hair stylist. Born on May 25, 1913, in Czar, Alberta Canada, Alyce grew up in South Park, Seattle and Yakima, WA. As the oldest of nine children, she left home at a young age and graduated beauty school. Living in Union Ridge, a women’s residence at 1010 Union St., she met and married her lifetime love, James Stroh, in 1935. When Jim enlisted as a Navy physician during WW II, Alyce raised her 4 little boys on her own for 2 years. Family stories of camping trip survival, picnic tables on the roof, and getting the boys to school on time are now etched in family legend. In 1947, Jim and Alyce planted roots on Mercer Island, a location Alyce would call home for some 66 years. During their 51 years of marriage, she remained a fashion plate, a devoted wife and mother, and a consummate hostess. Alyce was known as the “Queen” of Mercer Island by her friends, organizing barbeques, hosting high school reunions, and offering her beautiful home for family weddings. She was honored as Mother Emeritus of Mercer Is. High School ’58. Her hobbies included daily phone calls to her large family and friends, sharing favorite recipes, hours of card games, and always someone over for a meal. Her love of cooking earned her the nickname “Cookie” given by her husband. Her most frequent question: “what did you have for dinner” followed by “how did you make it”. Her gardens were her passion and, her joy, the poinsettias she coaxed to re-bloom. Some of her happiest times were spent salmon fishing in Desolation Sound with her sons. Her home was family grand central. Alyce’s love of her family was legendary. She was there to listen to their troubles and to cheer on their successes. She was the hub of the Stroh clan and the go-to person for anything “Stroh”. It was her pride and joy that family would be at her home for every holiday celebration. Alyce was preceded in death by her husband James E. Stroh MD in 1987 and is survived by her children Jim (Mary Jo), Steve (Kathleen), Tyler (Sue) and Allen (Barbara); 12 grandchildren and 21 great grandchildren. A special thank you to Denise, her caregiver, and to Evergreen Hospice. The family plans a private gravesite service and a celebration of life later this spring. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Evergreen Hospice Foundation,12040 NE 128th St. MS #5, Kirkland WA 98034-3098.

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