Mary Strackbein

Mary M. Strackbein of Vienna, VA, passed away suddenly on August 11, 2025, surrounded by her family, following a brief recovery from surgery.

Mary was born on April 12, 1944, in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, NY, to V. Paul and Dorothy (Davenport) McManus. She attended Visitation Academy for elementary school. At age 13, she moved to Arlington, VA, and attended Georgetown Visitation Preparatory School, where she formed lifelong friendships and graduated with pride. She earned a B.S. in Mathematics with a secondary education certification from Mary Washington College of the University of Virginia.

During her college years, Mary met the love of her life, Bill Strackbein. Their love story spanned nearly 63 years together, just shy of their 60th wedding anniversary. From the very beginning, they shared a love of adventure and a deep wanderlust - starting with long drives when they were dating, simply to see where the road would take them. Their marriage began with an even greater adventure - three years in Baden-Baden, Germany - where they explored Europe with their two young children, Beth and Billy, in a small camper. Upon returning to Falls Church, VA, their daughter Kris was born, and in 1978 they moved to Vienna, VA, where their son Steve was born. On more than a few weekends, it wasn't surprising for Bill and Mary to pile the kids into the car with no fixed destination, just a shared joy in discovering something new.

Mary taught mathematics at James Madison High School for 25 years, touching the lives of thousands. She believed firmly in positive reinforcement, timely constructive feedback, and tailoring her teaching to each student's learning style. Many evenings and weekends were dedicated to grading, crafting lesson plans, quizzes, and tests at the kitchen table.

In retirement, Mary devoted herself to quilting, knitting, water aerobics, and travel - continuing the wanderlust that had shaped so much of her life. She and Bill traveled to over 65 countries and explored 49 of the 50 U.S. states together. She cherished quiet mornings with Bill in their beloved sunroom, built years earlier by their son Billy, working crossword puzzles over coffee. Evenings often found them back in that same sunroom, sharing a 5 o'clock gin and tonic and talking about their day. Family road trips, beach vacations in Bethany and Middlesex Beach, and cherished stays at their North Myrtle Beach condo were hallmarks of their adventures.

Mary prioritized her family above all. She listened whenever she was needed, attended piano recitals, sporting events, marching band and color guard competitions, hosted dinners and gatherings, and opened her home to foreign exchange students, traveling young athletes, and Lisette, a Cuban dancer who became part of the family. A lifelong Catholic, Mary lived her faith with quiet devotion.

She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers Jack, Tom, and Dev; and her daughter, Kris. She is survived by her beloved husband, Bill; daughter Beth (Frank); son Billy (Jessie); son Steve (Ashlie); grandchildren Max, Shane, Adam, Alex, Avery, Caitlyn, and Sloane; and "bonus" children Rich, Lisette (Alex), and Mary Luna.

Even in retirement, Mary continued to tutor hundreds of students, especially her grandchildren-guiding them through math homework at the kitchen table, armed with pencils, paper, and that familiar calculator. She will be remembered as a dedicated teacher, loving wife, mother, grandmother, and friend, whose warmth, generosity, and steadfast love left an indelible mark on all who knew her. Her quick wit, easy laugh, and radiant smile will be deeply missed but forever remembered by all who loved her.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital or giving blood to your local blood bank, in honor of Mary's lifelong spirit of generosity.

Family and friends are invited to a viewing on Sunday, August 17, from 2:00–5:00 p.m. at Money and King Funeral Home, 171 W. Maple Avenue, Vienna, VA. A Catholic Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Monday, August 18, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Mark Catholic Church, 9970 Vale Road, Vienna, VA.