Myrna Bernice Egerton-Schlee, whose parents emigrated to the United States from Nova Scotia in 1908, died of natural causes in her Freeland home Feb. 8, 2010 at age 95.

Myrna was born in Seattle on June 28, 1914, to Bernice May and Arthur Kenneth Arenburgh. She had three sisters, Emma Evelyn, Florence Carolyn, and Claire Jean, all of whom predeceased her.

Myrna attended Lincoln High School in Seattle, and graduated in 1932. She married Charles William Egerton in 1933. The couple lived in Seattle and had three children, Charles William, Kathryn Bernice, and Dennis Cameron.

In addition to raising her children, Myrna worked for a few years as a secretary in the Seattle regional office of Camp Fire Girls. She became a deaconess at Woodlawn Park Presbyterian Church, and was active in the Doric Chapter of Eastern Star, in which she attained the chairs of Esther and Ruth.

Myrna and her sister Emma, who were next-door neighbors for many years, belonged to the Greenwood Garden Club and enjoyed sharing their green-thumb tips with friends and family.

Myrna’s greatest joy was her family. Her door was always open to her grandchildren and friends. After Mr. Egerton died in 1991 of congestive heart failure, she remained in the couple’s home and continued to be involved in her social activities.

In 1994, Myrna married Chester A. Schlee. The couple exchanged vows at Trinity Lutheran Church in Freeland. They lived in Seattle until Mr. Schlee’s health began to fail.

The couple moved to Whidbey Island to be near Myrna’s daughter, Kathy. They lived in a small home Kathy’s husband built for them on their Freeland property. Mr. Schlee died of natural causes in 2004. Myrna remained in their home for awhile, until she and her family agreed she would benefit from the added social contacts that assisted living facilities can provide. She moved into Maple Ridge in Freeland in 2008 and lived there for a year.

Needing more care, Myrna moved back to her little home next door to her daughter. Myrna remained in her home until her final day. She died there peacefully, in the company of family and her exceptional caregiver, Rebecca Bartsch.

Myrna is survived by her children, C.W. “Bill” Egerton of Oroville, Wash., Kathryn Deveau of Freeland, Dennis Egerton of Freeland, and their spouses, Donna Egerton, Fred Deveau and Carla Grau-Egerton. She is also survived by 15 grandchildren and 27 great-grandchildren.

Myrna was buried at Evergreen-Washelli Cemetery in Seattle on Friday, Feb. 12, following a small family service.

A memorial service in her honor is scheduled for 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 20, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Freeland.