Mary I. Strassburg

Mary Ida Strassburg of Ithaca, formerly of Albany, passed away Saturday, August 23, 2008 at the age of 94.

Born in New York City, NY on August 10, 1914, Mary was the daughter of the late Frank and Ida (Glutasaris) Krammer, both from Hungary. A graduate of the Becker Business Institute in the Bronx, NY, she held various executive secretary positions in New York City before marrying Alfred "Fred" G. Strassburg, also of New York City, in 1939. Their formal wedding was held in Margaretville, NY at the Locust Grove House, a resort owned by the groom's parents. In 1947 the couple moved to Albany, NY, where they purchased and restored an original McKown homestead in the Hamlet of McKownville. Fred was a State Architect with the New York State Office of General Services in Albany from 1947 until his death in 1968. There he worked on the project to restore the State Capitol building. Fred also designed the first geothermal-powered house in NYS in Latham, NY.

During their years in Albany, Mary was a homemaker until her return to work at the NYS Department of Motor Vehicles in 1954. Subsequently she worked for SUNY at Albany as executive secretary to the Chairman of Judaic Studies. After retiring in 1988, Mary continued her college education by taking paralegal courses at SUNY/Albany. An accomplished knitter, she created sweaters, coats, suits, even an entire infant wardrobe for the grandson she adored, as well as dozens of afghans for family, friends, and charitable organizations.

Mary is survived by her daughter, Carol (Jim) Doolittle; her grandson, Lawrence Doolittle; her sister, Ida Mary Christianson; two nieces, Susan Strassburg Schmitt and Margaret May; and two nephews, William Strassburg, Jr. and Donald May.

A Graveside Service will be held on Friday, August 29th at St. Agnes Cemetery in Menands, NY.

The family asks those who wish to make a contribution in Mary's memory to kindly consider Tompkins County ASPCA, 1640 Hanshaw Road, Ithaca, NY 14850; or Lakeside Nursing and Rehab Center, 1229 Trumansburg Road, Ithaca, NY 14850.