Obituary: Ruby "Loraine" Stricklin

Five generations gathered at the bedside of Ruby "Loraine" Stricklin last week, hours before she passed away at her home in Prescott, Ariz., on March 5, 2014, at the age of 95. Children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren spent the day reminiscing, poring through family photos, and saying goodbye to the woman who had been the rock of their close-knit family through the decades.

Loraine, as she was known by friends, was a true Arizona native, making her way into the world July 8, 1918, to proud parents John and Josephine "Josie" Kelley. She grew up and attended all 12 grades of school with her sister Thelma in Douglas, Ariz., where their father was a foreman at the Copper Queen Smelter.

She met her soon-to-be husband Lloyd Richard "Dick" Stricklin in Douglas at age 19 and they married about one year later. Their marriage lasted more than 50 years that took them to New Mexico, San Diego and eventually Chandler, Ariz., where Dick became an aircraft inspector and Loraine taught kindergarten at the Methodist Church. Together they raised three children, Bobbi, Judi and Gary, and actively participated in the lives of their six grandchildren.

After her husband passed, Loraine moved to Prescott in 1994 to be closer to her daughters, where she resided until her death.

She is preceded in death by her husband Lloyd Richard Stricklin; her son Gary Richard Stricklin; and her granddaughter Wendy Doan McDaris. She is survived by her daughters Barbara Bowerman and Judi Staubus; sons-in-law Dick Bowerman and Bob Staubus; grandchildren Jeff, Kelley, Tammy, Rainey and Joe; great-grandchildren Chad, Allison, Jordan, Max, Charlie, Sam, Parker, Zack and Gemma; and great-great-grandson Elijah.

Private family services will be held at her request. In lieu of flowers, Loraine would want her friends and family to donate to their local food bank.

Information provided by survivors.