Mary Strasser (nee Hofer)

Mary passed away on Thursday morning, December 5, 2019. She was 101 years old. She was born on March 1, 1918 in Bettenhausen, in the canton of Bern, Switzerland and was one of five children. Her father was the postmaster for 2 villages and her extended family members were upstanding members of Bettenhausen. The village was a farming community of about 250 inhabitants. Mary and her family grew vegetables and raised chickens and rabbits.

After completing primary and secondary school, Mary traveled to Geneva where she learned French, and then to England where she studied English. After a summer job as a teaching assistant in Bern, she obtained an accounting apprenticeship at the Hotel Bellevue in Bern and worked for 5 years in accounting and hotel registry.

She and a friend wanted to live in the United States. In 1948, they were able to secure nanny/housekeeper opportunities in Cleveland, Ohio. They traveled by train to Paris and sailed from the port of Le Havre on the Queen Elizabeth, arriving in New York. While working as a nanny/housekeeper, Mary went to night school where she studied accounting and Spanish. After completing her studies, she obtained an accounting position with John C. Lincoln. Lincoln and his family were snowbirds in Scottsdale, Az. and their positive feedback of the area convinced Mary that it would be a good place to live.

She worked as an accountant at the Flame Restaurant for a year until it burned down! Mary’s competencies helped her get hired by the Camelback Inn, where she was employed for 7 years. In addition to accounting, she made up the schedule for women visiting the Elizabeth Arden spa for facials and other services.

While there, she met and married Rudy Strasser, who was the chef for the Elizabeth Arden facility. They married in 1961 and moved to Paradise Valley. Rudy, with his gardening talents, turned their acre into a botanical garden which they enjoyed for many years.

An acquaintance advised her to get into the booming business of real estate. She was given the tip to contact Mrs. O’Malley, who was very active in the Scottsdale real estate community. Again Mary was recognized for her intelligence and professionalism and she obtained her real estate license. In her first year, she had 23 real estate deals in escrow. Mary said her success was due to the fact that people liked her and she took good care of them.

Mary and Rudy enjoyed many years of companionship with other Swiss friends in the Valley, celebrating holidays, singing, yodeling and telling funny stories about their new experiences in this country. She became a member of the International Arizona Women’s Club, enjoying monthly luncheons and meetings with women from all over the globe, with many different languages and backgrounds. She and Rudy were very hospitable, inviting every new person they met to a lovely dinner at their home. She was also a wonderful tour guide and was very knowledgeable about the state of Arizona.

Mary’s husband Rudy died on December 4, 2008. They were married for 48 years. She moved to McDowell Village, a retirement community in Scottsdale, where she lived until recent health issues compelled a move to a small group home with assisted living. She had enjoyed reading books in English, German, French, and Spanish, playing cards and dominoes, and listening to music.

Mary was a member of the Arizona Swiss Society for over 60 years! She was especially active in the Swiss Jass group and was an avid player of Swiss cards.

Mary credited her longevity to good genes, healthy nutrition, and healthy habits. Reflecting on her long, well lived life, Mary said, “I am very proud to be Swiss!” Many people treasured her friendship and she will be missed.

There will be a service in the Memorial Garden at the Valley Presbyterian Church, 6947 E. McDonald Drive in Paradise Valley on December 20th at 3:30 P.M.

A Celebration of Life will be held on January 16 at 6:30 P.M. in McDowell Village Retirement Center.

Mary is survived by nieces and nephews in Switzerland.