Thyrza "Penny" Ruth Stratton

Thyrza Ruth "Penny" Stratton, age 70 of Huber Heights, Ohio passed peacefully on September 25, 2024. She was born June 11, 1954 in Neptune, New Jersey, daughter of the late Leonard and Thyrza (Brewer) Gibbs.

Penny married her high school sweetheart Steve in 1972, and was then thrust into the life of being a military wife at the age of 18. She ventured into adulthood as a stay-at-home mother, until her three boys were old enough to attend school, at which point she began a long career of service to her church. Penny fulfilled several positions at St. Peter’s Catholic Church, until ultimately serving as the Director of St. Peter’s Early Childhood Education Center. Penny loved to travel, she loved Friday nights at Rooster’s with posse of friends, and more than anything, she loved her family. Sunday dinners were a long-standing tradition, as were thumbprint cookies at Christmas, record breaking trips to the commissary, taking her grandkids to the movies, and making pots of pasta sauce large enough to feed ten families. She was sassy and direct, always asked a million questions, lost something of importance on every family vacation, but never failed to give the best hugs and the best advice. Her strength and resilience were unrelenting, and her absence will forever leave a hole in all of our hearts.

In addition to her parents, Penny was preceded in death by her brother, Leonard Peter Gibbs. 

Penny is survived by her husband of 52 years, Stephen Stratton; sons, Steven (Brandi) Stratton, Brandon Stratton, and Sean (Chelsea) Stratton; grandchildren, Mackenzie, Madison, Amaura, Avery, McKinley, and Fynn; niece, Carol Gibbs, Dawn (Michael) Bailey, Gina (Jerry) Riedinger, and Joann D'Alessandris-Kostura; nephews, Peter, Alex, and Richard Gibbs; as well as numerous other family members and friends. 

A visitation will be held on Thursday, October 3, 2024 from 5-7pm at Newcomer Funeral Home, 4104 Needmore Road, Dayton, Ohio 45424. 

Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, October 4, 2024 at 10am at St. Peter Catholic Church (6161 Chambersburg Road, Huber Heights, Ohio 45424). 

Burial will be held on Monday, October 7, 2024 at 11am at Dayton National Cemetery.  

To share a memory of Penny or to leave a special message for her family, please sign the online guestbook provided.