Obituary of Lois Ralston

Lois Carol Ralston December 19, 1941 - October 17, 2010 Lois Carol Vance was born in Chicago, Illinois on December 19, 1941. She was the daughter of the late Russell Vance and the late Irma (Kurolvech) Maas. She obtained her Bachelor Degree in Business from East Washington University in Washington State and a Masters Degree in Business Administration from the University of Toledo. Lois worked for more than five years as a police officer in Rhode Island. After three previous tries at marriage she found and married the love of her life Roy Stringham on Friday the 13th of July in 1986 in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. The couple moved to Michigan that same year and Lois worked as a Nuclear Supervisor for Enrico Fermi II. Lois was slender and athletic. She enjoyed snow skiing, water skiing, and dancing. She was also and avid reader often visiting the Monroe County Libraries, and even like to pick up and read cookbooks. Lois believed in community involvement and she served as the citizen at large for the Monroe County Community Corrections Board for twelve years. She was an Auxillary member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3943 in Newport. She also belonged to Women Helping Women. On August 11, Lois and Roy celebrated 18 years of sobriety and as an active member of the Monroe AA community. Lois Carol Ralston fought a valiant fight with cancer the past seventeen months. She passed away at her Newport home under the care of Mercy Memorial Hospice and her family at 11:25am, Sunday, October 17, 2010. Her passing had been preceded by her parents. She leaves to cherish her memory a loving husband: Roy Stringham of Newport; a daughter: Lynn Marie (Michael "Mick") Conners of Caseville, Michigan; a son: Richard (Kim) Jones of Milan; a daughter: Kathryn (William) Glaeser of Newport; six grandchildren: William Jr. (Crystal), Kenneth, Cassandra, Ashley Glaeser, Bradley, and Mehan; two great grandchildren: Lilly and Joseph; a brother: Lee (Karen) Vance of Elmhurst, Illinois; three nephews: Scott, Mark, and Gary Vance; a stepson: Mike (Sandie) Jones of Denver, Colorado and a granddaughter Kassandra; her dog: Ellie and her cat: Vanilla. Friends may gather from 2:00-8:00pm, Tuesday, October 19, 2010 at Merkle Funeral Service, 2442 North Monroe Street (734) 384-5185 where a Celebration of Her Life will take place at 1:00pm, Wednesday, October 20, 2010. Pastor Louie Barnett of the Eagles Nest Community Church will officiate.