Mary Ruth Alza Strouse

MaryRuth Strouse

May 10, 1957 – August 28, 2025

It is with deep love and sorrow that we announce the passing of MaryRuth Alza Strouse, who departed this world on August 28, 2025, in Arroyo Grande, California. She was 68.

Born on May 10, 1957, in Anchorage, Alaska, Mary began her beautiful life in Homer, Alaska, before moving to rural Washington State. The youngest of five children, she lived a full and vibrant life, filled with love, laughter, and an enduring spirit of adventure.

Mary was preceded in death and is now joyfully reunited with her beloved soulmate and partner of thirty-four years, Geoffrey Lynn Balzer of Bridge, Oregon; her amazing mother, Alza Eldeen Caylor of Bridge, Oregon; her father, Jack Longmire of Gila, New Mexico; her smart and funny older sister, Donna Eldeen Meredith of Tacoma, Washington; and her dear brother, Charles “Chuck” Meredith of Puyallup, Washington.

She is survived by her two devoted children, Susie Strouse of Arroyo Grande, California, and Cody Strouse of Forest Grove, Oregon; her cherished granddaughters, Victoria, Mercedes, and Isabella; and her treasured great-grandchild, Sincere Rose, with the anticipated arrival of her first great-grandson in early 2026. She is also survived by her loving brothers, Nevada Tolladay of Coquille, Oregon, and Ken Jager-King of Roy, Washington.

Life in rural Washington state wasn't easy, but her mother, Eldeen, taught her children how to be tough, self-sufficient, and to always give more than they took. Above all, she instilled in them the values of kindness and strength—traits Mary embodied and passed on to her own children and grandchildren. Free-spirited and full of life, she embraced every moment. She loved the outdoors—skiing, camping, and fishing—as well as bowling and traveling. Yet, more than the activities themselves, she loved the people she shared them with.

Mary was as hard working as they came, serving spirits to locals and tourists alike, up and down the Central Coast for over 30 years, leaving a lasting impression on everyone she met. Her kindness, warmth, and profound devotion to her family will forever be cherished, and the memory of her joy for life will live on in the hearts of all who knew her. Mary will be remembered as a loving and dedicated mother, grandmother, partner and friend.

Services to honor MaryRuth’s life will be held at the Portuguese Hall in Arroyo Grande on November 15, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. Friends and family are invited to gather in remembrance and celebrate the beautiful life she lived.

And in her own words, to anyone feeling down, she would simply say: “Buck up.”

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