Lasting Memories
Myrna E. Valdez
Dec. 29, 1937-Feb. 20, 2014
Bridgeport, California
Submitted by Nina JeckerByrne
Myrna E. Valdez died of complications following surgery in Carson City on February 20, 2014. She was 75 years old. Myrna is survived by her husband, one son, two daughters, two step-daughters and 14 grandchildren.
Myrna was born in Denver, Colo. to Alice and Milton S. Johnson. She grew up in Englewood, Colo. and graduated from Englewood High School in 1956. She attended Colorado College in Colorado Springs, where she majored in English and was active in the Mountaineering Club.
She moved to the California Bay Area in 1958, where she worked for Stanford University in various departments, retiring as the administrator of the Stanford Linear Accelerator in 1993. She was known for being kind and efficient, good with people, for making much-appreciated birthday cakes for her co-workers and so much more.
Myrna loved the beauty of wild places and outdoor activities like hiking, camping, backpacking and skiing. She ignited this same passion in her family and friends, and in many young women as a Girl Scout troop leader.
Upon retiring, Myrna moved to Swauger Creek, near Bridgeport, Calif., in the southeastern Sierra Nevada Mountains, where she and her husband of 49 years, Ramon V. Valdez, built their dream home. She spent nearly 20 years there enjoying visits with friends and family and cooking and caring for everyone whose life touched hers. She cultivated wildflowers around the house and grew gladiolus, begonias, tomatoes, geraniums and many other flowering plants in her greenhouse.
Though she is physically gone, her spirit thrives in our hearts and memories.
April 9, 2014
April 4, 2014
I was so sorry to hear the news of Myrna's passing. She was a Chiropractic patient of mine for almost 30 years. Myrna loved the plants animals and wild nature of where her and Ramon made there home. She was always positive in her outlook on life and Had a spark in her eye when she talked of her life at Swauger Creek. I too, like my wife Cheryl said in her remembrance, will remember the day shared on Myrna and Ramon's deck eating and drinking and watching the hummingbird show. Unforgettable! Thank you Myrna, Robert Moreno D.C.
April 3, 2014
I was really sad to hear about Myrna's passing. My favorite memory of her was when our family came to visit while on our way to Mammoth Lakes. Myrna and Ramon showed us all around their home. Ramon played the fiddle for our little girl ( now 22 ) and Myrna let Laura feed the humming birds from their deck. Such a lovely gal.... Ramon and family, please know you are in our thoughts.
March 24, 2014
I am very saddened by Myrna's passing. She was a very special person loved by so many. She was always eager to help and always had time to listen. We worked together at Stanford and she taught me and supported me for many years. She loved her family and the outdoors more than anything. She will be sadly missed and I know she is looking down at all of us at this very time. All my love and prayers go out to Ramon and the family. Marcy Fox Albright
March 23, 2014
To MYRNIE V. We will all remember Myrna was born in December She here no longer sleeps For Her, please do not weep She is in the December wind that brings the snow Also in the Warmth of May that makes it all go Myrna is the Sparkle of an early morning snow She is the Autumn breeze that lifts one Aspen Leaf No She is not here.......Yet She did not leave Here She will be found Among the trees and on the Ground Free to fly with any bird Her Joy can easily be Heard On a warm day Myrna with us will Walk On a cozy evening with us She will talk Myrna's life was full of Joys That of my love and also Yours The Joy of having Her many kitchen Toys For Our lovely Myrna do not Cry You have Her Love again No...........She is not here No......,....She did not die..... Ramon V.
March 23, 2014
Apologies for the poem format; I didn't realize the line breaks would be removed when the poem was posted!
March 21, 2014
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