Kathy Marie Strok

It is with profound sadness and broken hearts that we announce the passing of Kathy Marie Strok. She passed away peacefully on May 8th, surrounded by the love of her family.

Kathy was born in Roswell, New Mexico on May 16th, 1956. The family moved to California in 1961 and bought their family home on Wingate Street in Covina in 1962. She attended St. Louise Elementary School, Royal Oak High School, and graduated from Cal Poly Pomona with a degree in Liberal Arts in 1978. She taught for several years and then pivoted her career to Pacific Bell in 1982. She started as an operator and ended her time at Pac Bell as an account executive. She worked at Options for All until her official retirement in 2021.

Kathy lived a life defined by her boundless generosity, infectious giggle, intelligence, and true loyalty to those she loved. She always put others before herself. She could tell a great story and had countless facts she could impart to others.

She loved traveling and went on many trips and cruises. She loved music, dancing, swimming, tennis, movies, theater, musicals, playing games, dogs, animals, reading, baking, cooking, art, needlework, and hot baths. She loved visiting the beach and the mountains. She even went hot air ballooning, parasailing, and scuba diving. But most of all, she treasured spending time with her family. Her nieces, nephew, great-nieces, and great-nephews brought her tremendous pride and joy. She could sing beautifully and often sang fun songs to us all growing up.

Kathy is interred at Forest Lawn Covina overlooking her parents Edward and Catherine Strok's gravesite. Her mother (her best friend) passed away on November 25th, 2025.

She is forever loved and deeply missed by her siblings, Gary Strok, Sandra Hoier, Philip Strok, and Sharon Strok. Her nieces and nephew,  Melanie Sholes, Jessica Mellinger, Brittany Apfel, Matthew Strok, Pamela Huang and Cynthia Huang. Her great-nieces and great-nephews, Sawyer Sholes, Maeve Sholes, Chase Mellinger, Raegan Mellinger, Emma Apfel, Celine Mcintyre and Lucas Mcintyre. As well as her extended family, dear friends, and beloved dog Luna.

Donations can be made in her name to her last place of employment Options for All at optionsforall.org. She loved everyone she worked with there. Her participants were so important to her and she loved them.

Options for All empowers adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities  to live, work, and thrive in their communities through programs like job training, independent living skills, and creative arts. 

You are invited to "A Celebration of Life" on June 27th, 2026 at 11:00 am with lunch at 11:30.

In the backyard of 9338 Ledig Drive, Alta Loma, California 91701.

It is casual attire and we invite you to wear her favorite color, blue.