Salt Lake City, Utah - Mary Iva Gubler Stratton, 87, passed away May 23, 2013.

Mary was born on January 28, 1926 in Ivins, Utah to Samuel Robert and Laura Viola Tobler Gubler. She was the first child born in the small town, and was thus given the middle name of "Iva". She was the third of four children and dearly loved her brother and two sisters. Mary established a special closeness with each of her siblings after a tragic accident took her fathers life when she was nine years old.

Mary attended school in St. George, Cedar City and briefly Salt Lake City when she attended East High School. Always a bright and conscientious student, she excelled throughout all levels of schooling and earned many honors and awards. Mary graduated from Chaffey College, with an Associates in Arts Degree. Mary was chosen for membership in the California Honors Society of Alpha Gamma Sigma, as well as the Chaffey College Leadership and Scholarship Society of Tau Epsilon Pi. She went on to get her B.A. and M.S. in Speech Pathology and Audiology at the University of Utah. At the U of U, Mary received the school "Pacesetter Award and was welcomed into Phi Kappa Phi membership as she graduated Magna Cum Laude. Thereafter, she enjoyed 15 years of a fulfilling career as a speech / language pathologist for Granite School District.

Mary met her future husband, Willard Oliver "Bill" Stratton while attending Jr. High School in St. George. They were sweethearts for several years until Marys family needed to relocate to Salt Lake City. It was a "predestined" fluke that brought Mary and Bill back together right after WWII. They shared a whirlwind romance and engagement shortly after Bill completed his military service and were married in the St. George LDS Temple on May 25, 1946. Bill was the love of Marys life and she was a devoted wife for the duration of their 64 year marriage.

Mary began her married life in Upton, CA while Bill attended U.S.C to get his degree in Dentistry. Afterwards, they moved to Cedar City, UT where they began their family. They enjoyed life in Southern Utah and eventually found themselves a family of six (with two boys and two girls). During Marys life, she juggled career and family handily, but her children were always her first focus. She was an attentive and lovingly, devoted mother. Mary was truly invested in each of her childrens lives. As her family grew, she was proud and adoring of each of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. We were truly blessed to have such a wonderful mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend in our lives.

Mary was always a quiet, gentle, patient and hard-working person. Her positive attitude to the end served as a great example to all who crossed paths with her. Marys primary interests beyond her family, were inclusive of all things interesting and beautiful. She especially loved ballet, classical music, gardening and traveling.

Mary was a life-long member of the LDS Church and served in a variety of callings throughout her lifetime. She would have loved nothing more than the Mormon Tabernacle Choir to sing at her funeral.

Mary leaves behind her children: Laurine (Craig) Stephenson, Roark (Becky) Stratton, Sabrina (David) Stratton and Kyle Stratton. She is beloved by her children and their spouses, 11 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. Mary is survived by her two sisters: Beth Prince and Dona (Dennis) Hoilman. She is preceded in death by her husband, Dr. Willard O. Stratton and her brother, Eldon Gubler.

The family wishes to thank the staff at CareSource Hospice Center for their wonderful kindness and professional care over the last four months.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, June 1, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. at the Metcalf Mortuary Chapel, 288 West St. George Blvd., St. George, Utah. Visitations will be held Friday evening from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and on Saturday, prior to services, from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. both at Metcalf Mortuary. Interment will follow at the St. George City Cemetery.