Myrna Hugie Wallen of Poland, Ohio passed suddenly and unexpectedly into the arms of Jesus on January 24, 2019. She leaves behind a family who loved her deeply and will miss her always. She was born September 5, 1946 in Los Angeles, CA to William Henry and Vartanousch Magarian Hugie.
She enjoyed her childhood as part of a close knit family with her older sister Betty. They spent summers camping with extended family in Utah and Montana with occasional trips to Colorado. Myrna had a lifelong love of swimming that began as a small child in the family pool and continued with water ballet during high school.
She continued swimming for exercise and enjoyment with her family for the remainder of her life. After graduating from Arroyo High School in El Monte, CA she went to work at General Telephone and took classes at Mount San Antonio Junior College. She married after high school and when that marriage ended, she found her career path in the insurance industry.
She worked as insurance adjustor for The Hartford and for Employer’s Casualty Insurance. During this time she fell in love with Brad Wallen, her husband and best friend of more than 40 years. They spent their life together enjoying each other and many joint interests.
Myrna obtained her private pilot’s license and enjoyed piloting the small private planes she and Brad owned. They spent a number of years as active members of the Southern California Edison Flying Club. She was also an accomplished deer and antelope hunter who thoroughly enjoyed family hunting trips in California, Arizona and Wyoming.
She loved the outdoors and spent many happy hours fishing on creek banks and small lakes with Brad and her much loved German Shepherds. After Brad’s retirement they were able to devote their time to enjoying family visits and marveling at the accomplishments of all 9 of their grandchildren plus the recent addition of a great-grandchild. Her life was centered on her family and she loved them each with a fierce and unwavering love that even death cannot interrupt.
Myrna is survived by her beloved husband Brad Wallen and her much loved sister Betty Whaley of Rancho Cucamonga CA. In addition, she is survived by daughter Lisa Wallen Gardner and husband Randall of Poland, son Jeremy Walkley and wife Jennifer of Castleton NY and her grandchildren: Katherine Walkley, Allison Walkely, Christina Claburn, Nora Walkley, Anthony Claburn, William Walkley, Nicholas Gardner, Natalie Gardner, June Walkley and great-granddaughter Delainey Claburn. Myrna was an example to her family of the power of love and determination.
If you were included in the circle of her family, you were always surrounded by her love and her presence. She will live on in our hearts and our memories. A service celebrating Myrna’s life will be held at 2pm Tuesday, January 29, 2019 at St John’s Episcopal Church Youngstown OH.
Graveside will follow immediately. Calling hours are from 12:45-1:45 pm prior to the service.
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