Mary Linda Strenn

October 30, 1944 - July 6, 2023 Mary Linda Strenn passed away peacefully surrounded by family at her home in Torrance, California on July 6, 2023. Mary was born to Harvey and Isobel (Curran) Maresch in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on October 30, 1944. Throughout her life she shared a deep bond with her siblings, Stephen Maresch and Susan (Maresch) Buth, and brother-in-law William Buth.
She is loved by her son Michael and daughter-in-law Denise (Gladden) Strenn; son Stephen Strenn and daughter-in-law Roya Mokhtari; daughter Jennifer and son-in-law Martin Howell; step-daughter Renee Nuth; grandchildren Noah and Tiffany (Escorcia) Strenn, Ella Strenn, Sarah Howell, Mary Howell, Luke Strenn, and Kian Strenn; and step-grandchildren Christopher Nuth and Emily Nuth.
Mary received her bachelor's degree in Urban Planning and master's degree in Environmental Studies/Administrative Services at the University of Wisconsin at Green Bay. She began her career as a planner for the city of Peoria, Illinois and has since served as a professional in local government management for more than 40 years. She served as city manager or chief executive of five cities in California over 17 years, and was the executive director for redevelopment agencies in four cities around the country.
Mary was an International City/County Management Association (ICMA) Credentialed City Manager, and, after retirement, she served as a Senior Advisor for the ICMA/League of California Cities. In addition, Mary held leadership roles in the city management profession at the local, state, and national levels.
Mary was a long-time volunteer with the American Lung Association (ALA) and cared deeply for the organization. She served as Co-Chair of the Regional Board of Directors of the ALA Pacific West, as well as served on ALA's National Governance Committee.
Mary was a pioneer at heart. She challenged social norms and made life better for those around her and for those who would follow after her. She saw being a woman as an asset rather than a limitation. She worked in a male-dominated field and paved the way for other women to do the same.
Her adventurous spirit brought her to many places, including over 100 countries. Some of the places she visited were the Galápagos Islands, the Amazon River and much of South America, Estonia and most European countries, many countries in Asia including China (before it was easy to do so), Kenya, Tanzania, and Australia. She traveled with her husband (Ivo Nuth, whom she married in 1993), her family, her friends, and she was also an accomplished solo-traveler. In addition, Mary enjoyed playing tennis, skiing, biking, kayaking, standup paddleboarding, walking along the beach, and visiting interesting places close to home. She was well-read, well-informed, and an interesting conversationalist.
In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations be sent on behalf of Mary Strenn to the American Lung Association of California.