Myrna M. De Mille's Obituary
Myrna de Mille, 12/15/1921-12/04/2010.
On December 4th, 2010 at 6PM, we unexpectedly lost our mother, Myrna.
She had been ailing for awhile, but still had a strong will to be on her own and "independent" to the very end. She was recovering from surgery on 11/22, and began to decline during the following week.
She slipped quietly away in her sleep Saturday evening.
She was born in 1921 on a small farm in Fresno, California where she spent her youth. She was the daughter of hard working Danish immigrants who both passed away when she was only 23. She inherited her parents' farm, which remains in the family to this day as a grape vineyard.
She was very proud of her Danish heritage and a strong cup of hot coffee was one of her favorite Danish traditions.
She graduated from high school in 1939, and soon after WWII broke out she joined the WAVES, attended nurse's training and was stationed in Seattle, WA for the duration of the war. There, she met a dashing young naval officer, Eric de Mille.
They married in 1944, welcomed four children, Eric, Jim, Don and Anne.
They made their home in Tacoma, WA where they raised their family.
The family grew with the marriages of Jim and Dee Dee, Don and Catherine and Anne and Matthew.
She also found great joy in the birth of six grandchildren, Darron, Matthew, Christina, Michelle, Jennifer and Erin.
Eric Sr. battled Parkinson's disease throughout their married life and he finally succumbed to the complications of the disease at age 73.
Myrna pursued a career as a Medical Record Librarian, working at local hospitals until her retirement in 1974. She then cared for our father at home until his death in 1986.
Myrna enjoyed her independent life, filling her time with ballroom dancing, attending St. Albans Anglican Church and enjoying her family.
Per her request there will be no funeral, just a small graveside service for the family.
In lieu of flowers, Myrna would have liked a contribution to the American Red Cross or the Tacoma Rescue Mission.
What’s your fondest memory of Myrna?
What’s a lesson you learned from Myrna?
Share a story where Myrna's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Myrna you’ll never forget.
How did Myrna make you smile?