Margrith Muhlheim

Margrith Muhlheim died after a long struggle with Alzheimer’s. She was 86. Margrith was born and grew up in Zurich, Switzerland. At the age of 19 she left home to travel the world. She worked as a nanny, teacher, housekeeper, art supply purveyor and as a designer. She started cooking at the age of ten and became a vivacious cooking teacher. Her numerous parties were legendary for their gourmet food and lively atmosphere. Her life was centered around people, especially children, and bringing joy to others.

In 1957 she married, Basil Strates, and moved to Greece for 10 years where they started their family. There, in addition to her remarkable skills in knitting and embroidery, she took up enameling and painting. After returning to the US she studied early childhood education in Santa Monica, became the first docent at the Indianapolis Art Museum to conduct tours for high school foreign language classes in French and German, studied Chinese language and philosophy at Ohio State, East Asian Studies at the University of Chicago and German Literature, theater, art and Buddhism at CU Boulder, Naropa and Ghost Ranch, NM. When her granddaughters came along she was thrilled to become their nanny and delighted them with books, stories, art projects and tea parties.

An enthusiastic traveler throughout her life, she ventured to Scandinavia, England, Japan, China, Peru, Panama, Nepal and Bali- often on her own. In Boulder she lived with her daughter and family, at Golden West where she was able to live fiercely independently and finally at Balfour Cherrywood where she was taken care of with dignity and love. Margrith is survived by her son Chris (Darlene) Strates, Daughter, Elene (Tom) Mooney, granddaughters, Margrith and Kate and son, Felix Strates. Donations can be made to the Golden West Foundation, 1055 Adams Circle, Boulder CO 80303.