Lucia Marie (Bicker) Strater

Lucia Marie Strater, age 92, passed away Saturday May 17, 2025, at her residence in Willoughby Ohio. She was born August 14, 1932, in Cleveland Ohio to Elmer Bicker and Dorothy (Corlett) Bicker. She attended Mayfield High School and loved her years there. She was very involved in leadership and music and was voted Homecoming Queen. At Mayfield, she met and fell in love with Ray Strater who would be her future husband of 66 years.  

Lucia was a very committed and successful District Sales Manager for Avon for many years. She received several accolades, gifts and trips for her accomplishments. She and Ray owned Footprints Christian Bookstore in Painesville for 18 years, and they were active members of Painesville Christian Church.  When they traveled to Florida in the winters, they enjoyed being a part of Salt Springs Christian Church where Lucia loved singing in the choir. That church family and choir remained an important part of her life even after moving up north.  Lucia and Ray were members of The Mapletown Square Dancers, Family Motorcoach Association, Camp Coast to Coast, Painesville Merchants Association and the Painesville Chamber of Commerce.  Lucia enjoyed traveling and seeing new places. She and Ray spent many years in an RV seeing sites all over the US, often times with family members accompanying them on their adventures. She enjoyed spending time with her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren both at home and on the road. Lucia had a wide circle of friends in Florida and Ohio. She made many lasting friendships at church participating in classes, doing service projects, and especially singing in the choir.  

Lucia is survived by her sons, Ray Strater Jr. and David (Loretta) Schmucker, daughters, Kim (Mike) Lastoria and Lynn (Chuck) Marshall. Sister, Gail (Richard) Rye; grandchildren, Bob (Deana) Lubecky, Jessika (Bryan) Augustin, Eric Steinley, Scott Schmucker and April Schmucker. Great grandchildren, Brianna Lubecky, Brayden Lubecky, Vivian Augustin, Lydia Schmucker and Lindsey Prososki, nieces/nephew, Cheryl Rye, Nicole Rye-Newman (Ron), Madison Newman and Jake Newman, along with many nieces and nephews living in California and Texas. She was blessed with 3 great-great-grandsons, Liam Bergmann, Shane Woods and Enzo Woods. She is also survived by many dear friends. With a special shout out to the 6th floor ladies at Breckenridge Village North Apartments for welcoming Lucia into your friendship circle and enriching her life.

Lucia was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Ray Strater in 2017, parents, Elmer and Dorothy Bicker, brother, Bill Bicker, granddaughter Jenne Lubecky and great grandson Cory Lastoria.

A Celebration of Lucia’s Life will be held at 10:30 AM on Friday June 27, 2025, at the Osborne Community Plaza 36855 Ridge Rd. Willoughby, Ohio (Breckenridge Village).

In lieu of flowers, donations in Lucia’s memory may be made to Habitat for Humanity 34071 Vine Street Eastlake Ohio 44095.

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