Obituary - Judith Aileen Mirgain Myers
October 7, 2015
Judith Aileen Mirgain Myers was born Aug. 12, 1945, in New Brunswick, N.J., and grew up in Fargo, N.D.
Her parents were Frank and Velma (Chase) Mirgain. Judi graduated from Fargo Central High School, attended Cottey College in Nevada, Mo., and earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in elementary education from Moorhead State College in Moorhead, Minn.
She married Rollin "Rollie" Myers on Jan. 2, 1964, in Sisseton, S.D. The couple lived in Milwaukee, Wis., for one year, Glyndon, Minn., for 10 years and Pinedale, Wyo., for 40 years. They wintered near Prescott, Ariz., for 15 years and Mesquite, Nev., for four years.
Judi is past member of PEO and Sublette County Artist Guild. She attended Pinedale Community Church in Pinedale and Valley Presbyterian in Mesquite. She devoted many years to her children, husband and home as a stay-at-home mom, where she also took up many hobbies. She made and sold clay dough figurines, did creative bead work and crocheted potholders. She was director of Pinedale Area Chamber of Commerce for four years and taught first grade in Arizona for 15 years, where she impacted the lives of many young children with her enthusiasm for life and learning.
She indexed the 1904-1999 Pinedale Roundup newspapers, wrote numerous interviews and historical articles, including the histories of Big Sandy, DC Bar, Z Bar U & Pines End Ranches. She wrote the original Walking Tour of Pinedale. She collaborated with Lynn Thompson to publish "Writings in the Sheep Shed." Some of her lesser known, yet deeply cherished, writings include hundreds of weekly letters she wrote to each of her nine grandchildren over the past two decades. While in Arizona, she and Rollie were Site Stewards for archeological sites. Always exploring beyond the "beaten path," she compiled a dozen books of maps of their hikes and adventures in Arizona, Wyoming, Nevada and other states. After retirement, she took up sketchbook journaling and line dancing. She also became an avid blogger, which she faithfully updated every morning for her friends and family.
Judi, known as "Jammi" to her grandchildren and nicknamed "Maggie" by her husband, was an adventurous, playful woman with energy and the heart of a child. She carried the joy of the Lord with her each day into whatever activity she was doing. She will be remembered as a fun-loving, kind, generous, adventurous, Christian woman.
Judi is survived by her husband of 51 years Rollie, their children Rance (Marcy) of California, Darin (Ginni) of Casper, Wyo., Shara (Tom) Martin of Ohio, and Chase (Jessica) of Texas; nine grandchildren Brittani, Skylin, Kathleen, Bridger, Mikayla, Haley, Cadence, Katy, Elliana and one on the way.
Judi died in Pinedale on Sept. 29, 2015, of pancreatic cancer.
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