In Memory Of
Marta F. Stroock
1928
2015
Marta F. Stroock
April 9, 1928 — August 4, 2015
MARTA STROOCK 1928-2015
Marta Freyre Stroock slipped from this world on August 4, 2015, at her home in Casper, Wyoming. She succumbed to the gradual, mind-wasting ravages of Alzheimer's Disease in true Marta form, with quiet dignity. She was 87.
Marta was a scholar, wife, mother, educator, community activist, social justice advocate, philanthropist and behind-the-scenes diplomat. Always poised, elegant and gracious, her keen intellect, commitment to excellence and iron will made her a force to be reckoned with. She leaves an exemplary legacy of dedicated service to her family and her community.
Born in Havana, Cuba, the second of four children of Juan Freyre de Andrade and Margot Veulens, Marta was raised amid an extended family with a proud history in Cuba. Her grandfather, Fernando Freyre de Andrade, served as a general in the Cuban War of Independence (Spanish-American War), as the first Secretary of Interior when Cuba won its independence from Spain in 1902, and as Mayor of Havana. Her favorite aunt, Teresa Freyre de Andrade, served as Director of the Cuban National Library. Her father was a Professor of English at the University of Havana.
Bucking the norms of her generation, Marta ventured to the US in 1945 to attend college, first at the New Jersey College for Women and later at Smith College, where she studied Chemistry and earned a Bachelor's Degree in 1949, graduating 'summa cum laude.'
Marta met Tom Stroock in the summer of 1947, in Havana; they were married there on June 19, 1949. Following their nuptials, they moved to Casper, Wyoming, where Tom began a career leasing properties in the oil and gas industry. In the late 1950's, when offered a transfer to Oklahoma, the young couple chose to stay in Casper, where they put down roots, made life-long friendships, and prospered. They happily called Wyoming home for the rest of their lives, more than 60 years.
Their only extended stay away from Wyoming was from 1989 to 1992, when Tom was appointed US Ambassador to Guatemala. Marta ran the Embassy Residence and hosted thousands of visitors, including US and Guatemalan political dignitaries, Rigoberta Menchú (who went on to win the Nobel Peace Prize in 1992) and hundreds of civic and humanitarian groups across Guatemala's socio-economic spectrum. She took up photography, traveling the length and breadth of Guatemala with her camera. Several of her portraits still hang in the US AID headquarters in Guatemala City.
Throughout her husband's long political career, he relied heavily upon Marta's counsel, which saved him from acting unwisely on many occasions.
Marta was a great fan of the arts. She especially enjoyed classical music, ballet, impressionist paintings and modern sculpture. She was well read, with a deep knowledge of Latin American history and politics, as well as European history and art. She was an avid tennis player and learned to enjoy Wyoming's outdoor activities, skiing in winter and camping in summer with family and friends.
Many civic organizations benefited from Marta's volunteer work and fundraising abilities. She served on the Board of Directors of the Wyoming Symphony Orchestra, the Nicolaysen Art Museum, the Natrona County Library, Planned Parenthood of Wyoming, the United Fund of Natrona County, the Casper Ski Club and the Northern Division of the US Ski Association. Other causes to which she contributed include the Casper Planetarium, the Natrona County Cancer Drive and the Natrona County School District, where she taught Spanish to elementary students for 13 years, served on the PTA (Parent Teachers Association), initiated the Academic Awards Banquet and helped implement the International Baccalaureate Program. In 2004, Marta was appointed by Governor Fruedenthal to a statewide committee which established eligibility standards for Hathaway Scholarship awards.
Marta is survived by two sisters - Conchita Freyre de Andrade (Havana, Cuba) and Elena Porro (Paris, France); by four daughters - Margie Stroock Low (Denver, CO), Sandy Leotta (Casper, WY), Betty Stroock (Bozeman, MT) and Anne Ladd (Casper, WY); by eight grandchildren, Monica Leotta Reagan, Maria Leotta, Roger Low, Annie Low, Tom Ladd, Amy Ladd, Nina Stroock and Maya Stroock; one great-grandchild, SamuelLai Reagan; and by ten nieces and nephews, including Viviana Freyre Gernert and Fernando Freyre (both of Denver, CO), Alvaro Freyre, (Helena, MT), Andrew McElwaine (Pittsburgh, PA), Gabriella Porro (Paris, France), Teresa Marill (Toronto, Canada), Enrique Marill (Montreal, Canada) and Emilio, Conchita & Mercedes Marill (all of Havana, Cuba).
A memorial service to celebrate Marta's life will be held at the Nicolaysen Art Museum on Saturday, October 24, 2015, at 4:00PM.
Newcomer Funeral Home in Casper is assisting the family.
To leave a special message for Marta's family, please visit the guestbook below.
Marta Freyre Stroock slipped from this world on August 4, 2015, at her home in Casper, Wyoming. She succumbed to the gradual, mind-wasting ravages of Alzheimer's Disease in true Marta form, with quiet dignity. She was 87.
Marta was a scholar, wife, mother, educator, community activist, social justice advocate, philanthropist and behind-the-scenes diplomat. Always poised, elegant and gracious, her keen intellect, commitment to excellence and iron will made her a force to be reckoned with. She leaves an exemplary legacy of dedicated service to her family and her community.
Born in Havana, Cuba, the second of four children of Juan Freyre de Andrade and Margot Veulens, Marta was raised amid an extended family with a proud history in Cuba. Her grandfather, Fernando Freyre de Andrade, served as a general in the Cuban War of Independence (Spanish-American War), as the first Secretary of Interior when Cuba won its independence from Spain in 1902, and as Mayor of Havana. Her favorite aunt, Teresa Freyre de Andrade, served as Director of the Cuban National Library. Her father was a Professor of English at the University of Havana.
Bucking the norms of her generation, Marta ventured to the US in 1945 to attend college, first at the New Jersey College for Women and later at Smith College, where she studied Chemistry and earned a Bachelor's Degree in 1949, graduating 'summa cum laude.'
Marta met Tom Stroock in the summer of 1947, in Havana; they were married there on June 19, 1949. Following their nuptials, they moved to Casper, Wyoming, where Tom began a career leasing properties in the oil and gas industry. In the late 1950's, when offered a transfer to Oklahoma, the young couple chose to stay in Casper, where they put down roots, made life-long friendships, and prospered. They happily called Wyoming home for the rest of their lives, more than 60 years.
Their only extended stay away from Wyoming was from 1989 to 1992, when Tom was appointed US Ambassador to Guatemala. Marta ran the Embassy Residence and hosted thousands of visitors, including US and Guatemalan political dignitaries, Rigoberta Menchú (who went on to win the Nobel Peace Prize in 1992) and hundreds of civic and humanitarian groups across Guatemala's socio-economic spectrum. She took up photography, traveling the length and breadth of Guatemala with her camera. Several of her portraits still hang in the US AID headquarters in Guatemala City.
Throughout her husband's long political career, he relied heavily upon Marta's counsel, which saved him from acting unwisely on many occasions.
Marta was a great fan of the arts. She especially enjoyed classical music, ballet, impressionist paintings and modern sculpture. She was well read, with a deep knowledge of Latin American history and politics, as well as European history and art. She was an avid tennis player and learned to enjoy Wyoming's outdoor activities, skiing in winter and camping in summer with family and friends.
Many civic organizations benefited from Marta's volunteer work and fundraising abilities. She served on the Board of Directors of the Wyoming Symphony Orchestra, the Nicolaysen Art Museum, the Natrona County Library, Planned Parenthood of Wyoming, the United Fund of Natrona County, the Casper Ski Club and the Northern Division of the US Ski Association. Other causes to which she contributed include the Casper Planetarium, the Natrona County Cancer Drive and the Natrona County School District, where she taught Spanish to elementary students for 13 years, served on the PTA (Parent Teachers Association), initiated the Academic Awards Banquet and helped implement the International Baccalaureate Program. In 2004, Marta was appointed by Governor Fruedenthal to a statewide committee which established eligibility standards for Hathaway Scholarship awards.
Marta is survived by two sisters - Conchita Freyre de Andrade (Havana, Cuba) and Elena Porro (Paris, France); by four daughters - Margie Stroock Low (Denver, CO), Sandy Leotta (Casper, WY), Betty Stroock (Bozeman, MT) and Anne Ladd (Casper, WY); by eight grandchildren, Monica Leotta Reagan, Maria Leotta, Roger Low, Annie Low, Tom Ladd, Amy Ladd, Nina Stroock and Maya Stroock; one great-grandchild, SamuelLai Reagan; and by ten nieces and nephews, including Viviana Freyre Gernert and Fernando Freyre (both of Denver, CO), Alvaro Freyre, (Helena, MT), Andrew McElwaine (Pittsburgh, PA), Gabriella Porro (Paris, France), Teresa Marill (Toronto, Canada), Enrique Marill (Montreal, Canada) and Emilio, Conchita & Mercedes Marill (all of Havana, Cuba).
A memorial service to celebrate Marta's life will be held at the Nicolaysen Art Museum on Saturday, October 24, 2015, at 4:00PM.
Newcomer Funeral Home in Casper is assisting the family.
To leave a special message for Marta's family, please visit the guestbook below.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Marta F. Stroock, please visit our flower store.
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