Wanda Myers
April 24, 1928 - August 22, 2022
Obituary
Wanda B. Myers – loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, stylish traveller and voracious reader – passed away on Monday, August 22, 2022 in Freeland, Washington. Her spirit is carried on by her five children, fourteen grandchildren, nineteen great-grandchildren, one great-great grandchild, three surviving siblings, and an extended family of friends and relations from many walks of life.
Wanda had a classic style her whole life, caught on camera in A-line skirts and a matching jacket thrown over her shoulder as a teen, still color-coding her outfits to her large beaded necklaces until her final days. Her flair for fashion served her well when she managed the woman’s department of Brooks Brothers in downtown Seattle, Washington and became the first woman in the company to be paid via commission on par with the men. It’s not uncommon to hear many who knew Wanda say, “she was my favorite personal shopper” and remember how she gave them confidence in wearing new styles. Many women and children also benefited from Wanda’s love for clothes due to her years volunteering at the Eastside Community Thrift Shop in Kirkland, Washington, where she helped choose the programs to donate proceeds to and was known for her efficiency and friendliness. At her home in Burien, Washington, her box of dress-up clothes were legendary, although no grandchildren would now claim any of those getups were worthy of a catwalk.
One of the special honors of her 94-years was “being married to a good man for 55 years.” Wanda and Ralph D. Myers married in 1964 in the living room of their Burien home with her in a light-yellow shift dress with a corsage. The two met at a Parents without Partners meeting in Seattle and shared a love for theatre, museums, and dancing. They brought their children together under one roof, Wanda with four – Shanae, Bob, Steven, and Sam (deceased) – from her previous marriage to Robert B. Ellsworth, and Ralph with his three – Mike (deceased), Dave and Liz. They loved to travel, and could both boast of having set foot on every continent if you include seeing Antarctica from a cruise ship in the Southern Ocean. In their Dodge Ram SUV (underpowered for the task) with a thirty-foot trailer, which Ralph never learned to reverse, they toured North America. She would dress in lightweight coveralls, tennis shoes and a floppy brimmed hat and off they went after they both retired. As a result, they could also proudly claim to have visited every State in the US (and had the spoon collection to prove it) and every Province in Canada.
Wanda brought people together wherever she was. She and Ralph were active members in Unitarian Church, Caledonian and St Andrews Society of Seattle, and Canadian Legion. Wanda made friends everywhere she lived. She was always a caring and thoughtful friend throughout her lifetime, keeping in regular contact with old and new friends. She regularly hosted large family gatherings where grandchildren – Mike, Aaron, Katherine; Julie, Erica; Robert Scott, Amber, Ashley; Jenny, Elijah, John, Matt (deceased) – fondly remember pancakes bubbling on a large black griddle for breakfast, tubs of Cool Whip on ever-present desserts, and home-baked pies for dinner. She taught her children and grandchildren how to make chocolate chip cookies. Like her own mother, Edith Peck Butler, Wanda took joy from writing to her family, even when it meant learning to use email. You could always send a message and expect a response including a proud and detailed update about one of her family member’s latest achievements – even if it was just about a great-grandchild picking and devouring blackberries. And those thank-you cards! Wanda and Ralph were physically present in their grandchildren’s lives too, and this was one of her “proudest achievements.” All her children and their children can remember her attentive and warm presence at sports games, recitals, graduations, birthdays and weddings – including an adventurous one in Vietnam as an 81-year-old. Sadly, she was not able to get to know two young grandchildren, Samantha and Shanelle, who live in the Philippines.
The other special honor of her life was “the love given to me by all of my children.” Her love and care for family must have started where she grew up in Shelley, Idaho. Born April 24, 1928, she was the second of six children – Jay (deceased), Orval (deceased), Sharon, David and June. If she wasn’t keeping her sister up at night reading with the light on, performing in plays, or beating people at games, she would be helping her mother. Her dad, Grant Butler, owned a Texaco gas station and taught her about hard-work and trusted her enough to put her in charge of “the books” when she was only fourteen. Due to family finances, she was not able to complete her university degree in 1949. However, she returned to Utah State University in Logan when she was thirty-three and completed a Bachelor of Science Degree, Phi Kappa Phi, while taking care of four children under the age of thirteen.
Wanda brought brightness to those around her, not least through her well-tended flower beds and pots. In Wanda’s memory, you may consider planting colorful flowers, especially Zinnias, the brighter the better; making a donation to Eastside Community Thrift Shop; or treating yourself to a stylish outfit. Wanda will live on in our best-dressed moments.
Wanda’s remains will be interred at Washington Memorial Park on Monday, September 19, 2022, at a small family service.
Ah, what a great tribute – and such a great representation of her life!!
Liz enlisted Wanda’s help in taking care of two of our 4 young boys, while we (Jen and Joe Gouge) left for a week’s sailing vacation, Wanda was up to the task. She had everything planned: the tours (ZOO), the Beach (near the house) and various activities which kept the boys busy, and they went to bed exhausted. (Not to mention Wanda and Ralph, may have been exhausted too). The boys recall it still that great week. She was amazing!!
Such a wonderful tribute to my beautiful big sister. I always loved that picture of her. So thankful for such a loving family.
Excellent Remembrance of an Amazing Woman and Super Mom.
Love the pictures. RIP
The tribute for my beautiful sister tells her story so perfectly! She was an amazing hostess! I always looked forward to her hand me down clothes! She wrote the best letters! Her example of continuing to take classes in her 90’s has been an inspiration to me! I am so thankful for such a wonderful sister and the fine family she and Ralph raised.
Absolutely beautiful. I have the collection of spoons <3
She was such a sweet sister in law, so good at welcoming me into the Butler clan. She always remembered our kids and would ask about them and what and how they were doing. She kept a beautiful and interesting home I loved her collection of delicate tea sets.
When I think of Wanda I think of color. She loved color! Color in her home, color in her surroundings. Since I myself don’t like much color I always found so much color absolutely amazing. I think red heads enjoy color and look good in color.
The greatest thing Wanda ever did in my opinion is give birth to my Bob. Without Wanda, I wouldn’t have such a dear husband and my dear family. Thank you Wanda for Bob.
Love,
Pam
My mom was full of life and love for family. I admire her energy and the way she lived her life. I feel honored and privileged to have been your son. You always loved me unconditionally and was the best mom anyone could have wished for.