Mary Lou Strom…First Lady Of Enfield


Mary Lou Strom, our former mayor, died Tuesday December 26 at home surrounded by her family. She was 63.

Mary Lou will be remembered as a town leader, a generous person, and a friend to many of us. She was laid to rest this past Saturday after a very emotional funeral at St. Patrick’s Church in Enfield.

Although this was a sad occasion for her family and friends to attend, it was truly a celebration of a life that affected so many in Enfield, as well as, the entire State of Connecticut.

Mary Lou served as Town Assessor in Granby until her retirement in 1992. It was while she was working there that she won the Massachusetts Megabucks lottery. The amount of money she won would have changed most of us, but Mary Lou never allowed her good fortune to change her, it just brought out her giving nature.

The list of charities, civic groups, and educational organizations are just too many to mention to where Mary Lou had an impact. Whether it was the Forth of July Celebration, the After School program, or a golf outing to raise money to help abused women, Mary Lou was there to assist.

One of the greatest qualities that Mary Lou had was here ability to make even a new acquaintance feel like a close friend. I experienced this eleven years ago when I first arrived in Enfield. Like many I was drawn to her loving smile and genuine appreciation for people.

Others also have had the same experience with Mary Lou. Here is what people had to say about Enfields best friend.

Alice Egan, former town council member, said, “Mary Lou was kind, caring, and compassionate.” Alice also added that “Mary Lou had a gift for politics” and “she believed that every opinion counted.”

Enfield Republican Town Committee Chairwoman, Mary Ann Turner, had these remarks, “Mary Lou was a true asset to the community, and she used her wisdom to guidethings in town for the betterment of all. She will be sorely missed andremembered for years to come, as one of the good ones.

Scott Kaupin, current town council Minority leader said of Mary Lou “"There wasn't one civic organization in town that didn't benefit in some shape or form through Mary Lou," said Scott Kaupin, who served on the town council with Strom, "She had the funds, and she reinvested them back into the community."

State Senator John Kissel remembers Mary Lou for never forgetting her roots and always giving back to her community. Senator Kissel called Mary Lou “selfless, gentle and a woman of the people.” In my conversation with the State Senator he spoke of the special blessing it was to have Mary Lou attend his and Cindy’s wedding and just a few weeks ago to attend his victory celebration as he won another term as our State Senator. “Mary Lou had her finger on the pulse of Enfield, a town she loved dearly” John stated.

Mary Lou is also remembered by the Republican delegation to the United State Congress. Nancy Johnson, a long time friend, shared her thoughts about Enfield’s First Lady. Mary Lou “never lost perspective of being one of the people” Congresswoman Johnson said. She was “inclusive” and “fair” in her approach to government and “she loved politics and defined it as building consensus to better our community.”

Rob Simmons remarked, “when she won the lottery she used it as an opportunity to increase her service to her community.” Congressman Simmons went on to say that she was an example of “civic responsibility and devotion to community.”

However, Republicans were not the only ones that had words of praise for Mary Lou. Enfield Mayor Pat Tallarita called Mary Lou “a model in Public service” and that “Enfield has lost a good and trusted friend.

Former Mayor Bill Vayda stated that Mary Lou “cared deeply for the people of Enfield and always had the town’s interest at heart.” “She did not promote herself and will leave Enfield a better place to live.”

In preparing this article I heard from many who shared how Mary Lou touched their lives. Former councilwoman Carol Hall expressed these thoughts. “It would be difficult, if not impossible, to describe the depth ofloss that I feel at Mary Lou's passing. And, I know I am not alone.In the time that I had the privilege of knowing thisnoble woman, I saw her touch countless lives. She did this in manyways; Personally, Professionally, Financially but always quietly andalways graciously.

Heaven is a brighter place now that Mary Louis home. Hopefully, we can honor her legacy by treating one another asshe treated us and in so doing, keep her memory alive.”

I sat down this afternoon with one of Mary Lou’s dearest friends, Monica Ryan. Monica and Mary Lou had a friendship only God could create. Over the years Mary Lou and Monica would travel together and enjoy some of our world’s most beautiful places. They traveled to Australia, Hawaii, and Bermuda. All that was required was the ocean and their friendship to make the trip complete. Mary Lou even convinced Monica to try parasailing.

Monica added one more word to describe Mary Lou and that word was “fun.” Mary Lou enjoyed life, had fun and loved being around people.

As I prepared to leave Monica shared this final thought. “She, Mary Lou, made everyone feel special because she believed everyone has something special about them.”

Left to cherish her memory are her daughter, Lisa Strom of Enfield; her son, Christian Strom and his wife, Eileen of Portland; and the joys of her life, her grand children, Peter, William, Claire and Teddy. Mary Lou also leaves her brother, Joseph Mistretta and sister-in-law, Gerry; her three sisters, Ann Burnham and husband, Stephen of Stoneham, MA, Margaret Perry and husband, Sherwood of Enfield, Lynn Cade and husband, Keith of Middlefield; and an uncle, Albert Siranni and his wife, Rosalie of Thoms River, NJ; and many nieces, nephews and beloved cousins. One more member of the family that Mary Lou loved was “Crazy Gracie” her dog who Lisa brought home because she was abandoned.

In closing let me say that 2007 will seem a little emptier without Mary Lou Strom.

When the 4th of July rolls around and we are all on the green celebrating our nation and town, the absence of Mary Lou will be felt.

When the Enfield Rotary Club stretches out its banner for a parade, Mary Lou’s presence will be missed walking along side.

When election season comes upon us it will not seem the same without the Mary Lou rooting on her team.

When a year has past and we go to the town green to watch the Christmas tree lighting and sing songs of the season it will seem emptier because Mary Lou is not with us.

But, is she truly gone? Not at all! She will live on in every organization that she contributed to, every public servant she mentored, and every friend she made. Enfield is filled with the touch of Mary Lou, a town she loved and a community she made better.

Jason Jones summed it up by saying "She was my Friend." Jason, she was a friend to all of us. Mary Lou....we love you!

Greg Stokes