Clio M. (Mowery) Strausser

Clio M. (Mowery) Strausser, 84, of rural Nescopeck, died Monday, April 7th at her home, Chez Woodland, surrounded by family and friends.

Born August 27, 1940, in Berwick, she was the daughter of the late Henry N. and Iva Eleanor (Confair) Mowery.  She was preceded in death by her husband of 58 years, Wayne E. Strausser, on November 15, 2020.

Clio was a graduate of Berwick High School, Class of 1958, where she was the editor of the B. H. S. newspaper, the "Blue and White," and wrote a weekly column for the Berwick Enterprise.  She earned her B. S. degree in Education from Bloomsburg State Teachers College, now Bloomsburg University, in 1961. While at Bloomsburg, she served as an organist for many school events and was named May Day Princess. An accomplished swimmer, she also served as an assistant swimming coach with the college’s aquatics program. She later attended Elmira College in Elmira, New York, where she obtained her master’s degree. She then studied in Paris, doing extensive work on her doctorate degree. France and its language were among her greatest lifelong passions.

Clio began her teaching career at the Berwick Jr. High School in 1962, teaching English and French. She later taught English, Drama, Journalism and French at Penn Manor High School in Lancaster County, serving as the faculty advisor to the student newspaper there. Returning to Berwick in 1967, she taught French I and II at the Jr. High School, and then college level French III and IV at the Sr. High School. While there, she was named the Chairman of the Foreign Language Department. She was also involved with the Foreign Languages Program at the Department of Education in Harrisburg. In 1993, she retired from teaching after 31 years of service. 

Clio was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Berwick. She was also a member of the Daughters of American Colonists and was president of her Sorority.  

In her younger years, Clio was a fashion model for local publications and was selected as a lead model while living in Lancaster. She also modeled for the late Vince DiAugustine in Berwick.

Clio was proud to have served as a Red Cross lifeguard at the old Berwick YMCA, where she was credited with saving three lives.  She also was an aerobics instructor there. 

Among Clio’s many passions was Chez Woodland, the estate that she and her husband purchased and restored in rural Nescopeck. It had been formerly owned by the famed Dupont family. Throughout their marriage, she and Wayne also enjoyed cruising the Chesapeake Bay on their boat, “A Spirit of Adventure,” which was aptly named for one of Clio’s most noted traits. That same “spirit of adventure” led her to take flying lessons in case she ever needed to land an airplane.

Even though two horrific accidents led to a myriad of spinal surgeries, she felt blessed to have had many wonderful experiences in her life. On a trip to Monaco, she met the Prince of Monaco, Ranier, and was treated to a ride in his silver Rolls Royce limousine. On a trip to Paris, which she adored, she enjoyed lunch at the Jules Verne restaurant in the Eiffel Tower. In London, she walked down the aisle of St. Paul’s Cathedral, following in Princess Diana’s footsteps, and sat in the famed Coronation Chair. While in Atlantic City at a Julio Iglesias concert, she and the world-famous singer bonded over back pain, developing a close and lasting friendship. The day before Clio passed, Julio and his wife, Miranda, called her to express their love, which touched her deeply. Julio also called her his “Moonlight Lady,” the title of her favorite song.

Among her survivors are her cousins Anne Louise Confair and Abby Brandau Shields, as well as friends who were like family: Julie and Darren Crispin; Mae Crispin Domescik, William Crispin, Angela DiAugustine, Lucille DiAugustine and Joseph DiAugustine. 

Funeral Services will be held Saturday, April 12th at 11am at the First Presbyterian Church, 320 Market Street, Berwick, with James Ross officiating.  Her Burial will be in the Pine Grove Cemetery, Walnut Street, Berwick.  A Visitation will be held at the Church from 10am until 11am. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in her memory to the Animal Resource Center, P. O. Box 439, Bloomsburg, PA 17815 or to the Lupus Foundation of America, 2121 K Street, N.W., Suite 200, Washington, DC  20037.
  
For online condolences or for additional information, please visit our website:   www.mcmichaelfuneralhome.com

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