Virginia Claire Stratton, 88, died on Thursday, March 14, following a year-long illness. A celebration of her life will be held on Saturday, May 4 at 11 a.m., in the First Presbyterian Church in Lakeview with Rev. Dan St. Clair presiding.
The service will be followed by the sharing of stories and a potluck lunch provided by the church. Virginia was born on November 14, 1930, in Lakeview, Oregon, to Homer and Grace (Vernon) Myers. She graduated as valedictorian from Lakeview High School in 1949.
With the help of the Daly Fund, she went on to receive a bachelor’s degree in Business Education from Oregon State College (now Oregon State University) in 1953. While teaching in Klamath County, she met and fell in love with Norman Stratton, whom she married in Lakeview in 1955. The couple moved to Portland so Norman could attend college, but by 1962 they had moved back to Lakeview, where they were both schoolteachers.
Virginia taught typing, shorthand, accounting, business law, and eventually computers. She was an excellent teacher, and took personal interest and great satisfaction in helping students succeed. Up to her death, she kept in touch with many former students, and loved to hear from them with updates on their lives.
In 1993, after more than 30 years of teaching, Virginia retired. Over the years she volunteered with the Lake County Library, Soroptimist International, Lakeview Women’s Educators, AAUW, the Lake County Fair Board, and the Lake County Food Share, among other groups. She spent two winters in Kauai with Norman and long-time friends while they helped Habitat for Humanity rebuild after Hurricane Iniki.
She was also a long-standing member of the First Presbyterian Church of Lakeview where she served in many capacities. Virginia’s faith was very important to her and she lived it by caring for others. She took particular pleasure in visiting people around town.
She delivered friendship, good conversation, and lots of cookies. Virginia loved to spend time with her children, grandchildren, and friends, and delighted in catching up over a shared meal. She was an avid player of board and card games, especially pinochle.
She decorated her house for every holiday, and relished reading a good book. Ultimately, she enjoyed the simple things in life: fresh flowers in the spring, a hot cup of coffee and a treat from one of her favorite bakeries, a letter from a friend. Virginia will be remembered as “the cookie lady,” an outstanding teacher, a loving mother and grandmother, a loyal friend, a dedicated community member and supporter, and above all else a smart, funny, compassionate, and determined woman.
Survivors include her brother and sister-in-law, Doug and Carmen Myers of St. Clair Shores, MI; daughters and sons-in-law, Marcia and David Hohler of Corvallis, and Kiza and Richard Hilton of Santa Clarita, CA; son, David Stratton of Anaconda, MT; granddaughter, Torrence Stratton of Portland; granddaughter and grandson-in-law, Rachel and Sam Weissman-Hohler of Forest Grove; granddaughter Stephanie Stratton of Scottsdale, AZ; and grandson, Jacob Stratton of Anaconda, MT. She was preceded in death by her husband, Norman Stratton; a brother, Milton Myers; and a grandson, Zachary Hohler. In lieu of flowers, friends who wish to contribute in her memory may do so to: Lake County Library Endowment Fund, PO Box 44, Lakeview, OR 97630, Klamath-Lake Counties Food Bank, P.O. Box 317, Klamath Falls, OR 97601, or to a charity of the donor’s choice.
Interment will be at Sunset Park Cemetery in Lakeview, Oregon. Please share your thoughts and memories for the family at www. demossdurdan.com.
DeMoss-Durdan Funeral Home, Corvallis, Oregon, and Desert Rose Funeral Chapel, Lakeview, Oregon, are in charge of arrangements.
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