LA JUNTA, Colo. — Dr. Mayda Nel Strong, 74, Salem, Va., formerly of La Junta, died July 31, 2016, in Salem, following a short battle with cancer.
Dr. Strong was born May 6, 1942, in Albuquerque, N.M., the daughter of Floyd and Wanda Strong. She moved to La Junta 12 years later following the death of her mother.
In 1960, she graduated from La Junta High School and attended college at Texas Western College (the University of Texas-El Paso), graduating cum laude with a bachelor of arts degree in 1963. As an undergraduate, she was named to Who’s Who in American Universities and Colleges and was honored as the outstanding graduating drama major. She taught in several Texas public schools. She served as director of the Frank Baird Youth Theatre in Waco, Texas, from 1968 to 1970.
In 1971, Dr. Strong resumed her studies at the University of Texas-Austin and earned her master’s degree in education with a major in school counseling in 1972. In 1978, she earned her doctor of philosophy degree.
She was named to several honor organizations and served as an assistant instructor. She received the Austin Chapter of American Association of University Women graduate fellowship for 1976-1977.
Dr. Strong returned to La Junta in 1979 when she was hired as director of outpatient and emergency services at Southeastern Colorado Family Guidance and Mental Health Center (Southeast Mental Health Services).
Dr. Strong entered private practice in La Junta where she remained until 2009. She relocated to Larned as supervising psychologist in the Kansas Sexual Predator Treatment Program at Larned State Hospital until 2011.
She moved to Salem, Va. to be closer to her family. Dr. Strong was employed by the Virginia Department of Rehabilitative Services, Disability Determination Services, until spring 2016 when she was diagnosed with liver cancer.
Drama and the theater were her passion. While in Austin, Texas, in the 1960s, she hosted a children’s television program and worked in children’s theater in Waco, Texas. She was a member of the Picketwire Center board of directors from 1995 to 1998 and directed or acted in seven productions over the years.
Dr. Strong is survived by a son Robert (Nancy Logan) Willingham II and granddaughters Molly and Sydney Willingham, Salem, Va.; a sister, Sandra Strong, Dallas, Texas; a niece, Wanda (Wade) Thunhorst, Dallas, Texas and nephew, Michael (Rebecca) Gage, Austin, Texas.
She was preceded in death by her parents.
A celebration of the life of will be held at 5 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 20 at the Picketwire Center for the Performing and Visual Arts, 802 San Juan, La Junta.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to either the Picketwire Theatre or the American Cancer Society.

Great Bend Tribune Aug. 16, 2016