Obituary of Lillian Ruth Strange

Lilian Ruth Strange Lillian Ruth Strange, 86, beloved daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, aunt, and friend to all was born March 13, 1927 at Brooklyn Jewish Hospital in New York and passed away after a short illness on October 19, 2013 in Olympia, Washington. Lillian’s parents, Emil and Eva Blum, immigrated to New York from Russia. Lillian lost her mother at the age of 18 and went with her father from New York to Colorado Springs where she met Wesley, a handsome, young officer. Lillian married Wesley R. Strange May 5, 1956 and their daughter, Cheryl, was born the following year. Lilly had a fierce sense of service and helping others whether it was serving in the Red Cross while Wesley was in the service, or helping MT Simmons grade school students learn to read, do math, and feel loved and attended to after class. When Cheryl was off to college, Lilly and Wesley traveled to San Felipe, Baja, and spent the next 31 years there. Lillian was a founding member of the Las Amigas group that helped the Mexican children through the Cobach (high school) and awarded scholarships to students to go to Universidad. Lilly and Wesley came home to Tumwater in 2004 and Lilly then attended to Wes until his passing in May 2005. Lilly then went on to give of her time to the Olympia Senior Center until her death. Lilly is survived by her loving daughter, Cheryl (Michelle); nephews, Joey (Nancy) Blum, Don (Beth) Strange; and nieces, Andrea Blum, Bessie (John) Blum, Val (Ron) Lind, Carol Clintworth, Betty (Jim) Able; granddaughter, Audrey (Alex) Daye; grandsons, Donald (Jenny) Stroud, Greg (Kim) Stroud; great grandsons, Orin and Tobin; great granddaughters, Miranda and Alexis. Lilly is also survived by the many friends throughout the United States and Mexico who will carry on her tradition of service, unconditional love, generosity, kindness and quiet strength. Please join us for Lillian’s memorial celebration Friday, October 25, 2013 at 1:00 p.m. at the Olympia Senior Center, 222 Columbia Street NW, Olympia. In lieu of flowers, it would be Lilly’s request that you donate to the Senior Services for South Sound. Please leave memories of Lilly or condolences for her family in the Guestbook below.