Rolleen Stricker served on the CRMS faculty as an English and Religion teacher for 17 years from 1958 until 1975 and as a parent while her four children attended the school in the 70s. Her place on the Crystal River was, according to former teacher and Head of School Ed Rubovits, “a paradise with teepee, ducks, an irrigation ditch and a dining room table only inches off the floor which demanded all the New England patience and good breeding Wells Kerr could muster not to complain of the physical tortures dinner guests had to endure. We, students and teachers, learned much about teaching and about being a human being from Rolleen and Wells.”

Obituary

Rolleen Stricker was born August 21, 1928 in San Antonio, TX and was a resident of Santa Fe for 22 years.

Rolleen was a small figure who made a big difference in the lives of many, including her children: Cynthia, mother of Leianna and Keoki; Peter and his wife Cevin; Brian and his partner Crystal; and Scott and his wife Sheila and their son Joshua – – in addition to many “adopted” children, too numerous to name. Annie, her dog, has also had a pretty good time of it.

Rolleen taught English & religion at Colorado Rocky Mountain School from 1958 to 1975. She also taught literature and religion at the college level, led a book club, taught English to Tibetan immigrants, volunteered at St. Elizabeth’s homeless shelter and did much, much more for the Santa Fe community – all without fanfare. She was a teacher to everyone who entered her life, and even her death became a teaching for those who love her.