Myrrhl Strohecker

MYRRHL STROHECKER “Independent” “Compassionate” ”Life of the Party” Myrrhl Strohecker was a rehabilitation nurse who worked for over 20 years for Encompass Health (formerly Harmarville Rehabilitation Center) near Pittsburgh, PA. Myrrhl was in charge of the “activities of daily” living program. In that capacity she coached patients to maximize independence by assessing their needs and designing and implementing their rehabilitation program in the facility's onsite replica of a private home setting. Her patients included brain injury and stroke patients, patients with Parkinson's disease, advanced diabetics, amputees, and those with spinal cord injuries. Myrrhl treated some well-known Pittsburgh sports professionals who had sustained injuries and had been sent to the center. The facility is known for achieving stellar results as a Joint Commission Accredited Rehab Hospital. Her concern for others coupled with her integrity and great sense of humor helped Myrrhl's patients far exceed even their own expectations for independence-what a wonderful legacy. Myrrhl was an independent woman and for her generation ahead of her time. She had to be independent. As a very young child, she lost her mother to a water-born disease caused by a devastating flood that occurred in the late 1930's. As a middle child in a family of 10 children, she learned from an early age to take care of her own needs and assume responsibility for her decisions while considering both the family around her and her environment on a remote farm in Butler County, Kentucky. She met and married William (Bill) Strohecker, who was stationed at Ft. Campbell, Kentucky in 1951. They were married in Clarkville,TN only one month after meeting. One would be right to guess that it was love at first sight! Myrrhl and Bill subsequently moved to Pennsylvania where he became a music teacher and band director for the public schools. Their union brought forth two children, a daughter, Rene, and a son, Timothy. During their marriage, Myrrhl, assumed primary child-raising responsibilities because of Bill's busy schedule of teaching music at the public school system, his private teaching in his piano studio, and his performances with local big “society” bands. She assisted Bill, doing most of the administrative tasks, when he was voted in as a Justice of the Peace in Allegheny County, PA. She delightfully organized two weddings that Bill officiated. Myrrhl and Bill provided an enriching environment for their children. Growing up included travel to many states during the summer's school break. The family took many road trips, some as far as California and Oregon and the parents took the children to tour Hawaii and Europe. A favorite destination was Kentucky, which both children loved, considering it to be a magical place with the warmth of family, playing with farm animals, and swimming in beautiful, clear pond. She lost her husband at the tender age of 38. After Bill's death at age 47, Myrrhl made the decision to train for a career in nursing. She excelled in working with geriatric patients and patients who could improve their lives through rehabilitation. During this time, Myrrhl ensured that her children would complete their 4-year college degrees to be career ready. In 1991, she returned to her native Kentucky and built her own home near Lake Malone. She often commented that buying the farm took a lot of “emptying of bed pans” and “training stroke patients”, but she ended with “I did it”. Even before moving in, Myrrhl demonstrated a fairly high degree of fearlessness. She lived in a tent in the loft of her barn for about a year while the home was completed. Local newspapers at the time featured Myrrhl in a front page article playfully titled, “Home is Where the Hay Is”. Years after living in her completed home, Myrrhl was still known as “the lady who lived in the barn.” She loved animals. Many of them were “drop-offs”. People knew Myrrhl would take care of them. Over the years she had many cats and dogs and even a pet wild turkey. She raised chickens and sold eggs. She acquired yet another moniker as “Dr. Chicken Woman”. Friends and neighbors would phone Myrrhl or seek advice in person before going to the doctor upon experiencing a bellyache, headache, or other health concern. Myrrhl's vibrant energy made her the “life of the party”. Yes, she could even be accused of being a flirt with any handsome guy. But, with her big, compassionate heart, and willingness to listen, really listen, she was considered a confidante and friend to many. Myrrhl is survived by her daughter, Rene Strohecker Thompson, a daughter, Cynthia Strauss of Pittsburgh, PA, a sister, Shirley Simonds of Bryson City, North Carolina, a sister Jane Stockslager (Roy) of San Diego, California, a niece and nephew, Patricia Green of Dunmor, KY and Kenny Fagg of Lewisburg, KY, a niece Karen Nylen of San Diego, California, and several nieces and nephews who live across the country. Watch for an announcement soon via Rene Thompson's Facebook page (the key words that will help your search for the page is Rene Thompson, Dunmor, KY). A Celebration for Myrrhl Strohecker will take place locally in Kentucky in the near future. We hope you can come to share and celebrate her life and remember our “Life of the Party.” Donations in her memory can be made to: Muhlenberg County Humane Society: 615 Muhlenberg Dr, Greenville, KY, 270-338-6940, or www.facebook.com/muhlenbergcountyhumanesociety/