Myrt DeRooy

Our sweet mom slipped quietly away on the morning of October 3, 2015, at the age of 93, following a brief battle with cancer. Myrtle Margaret Armstrong was born on February 22, 1922, the second of eight children of Charles E. and Harmiena (Bakker) Armstrong. The date of her birth was so unique that Dad gave Mom a vanity plate for her car that said 2-22-22. Myrt lived in Lake Stevens and Everett, where she met Anthony DeRooy at church, whose family had moved into her neighborhood. He said that once he noticed her pretty legs, he had to get to know her better. Tony and Myrt married on January 24, 1942. Just before he left to serve in the Pacific Theater during World War II, their first child, Sherry, was born. After the war, their second daughter, Kathleen Lynn was born, followed by Linda Joy, David Arie, Diane, Vicki, Timothy Charles and Debbie. During much of her life, Myrt was a full-time mother and homemaker. There was always a garden full of vegetables to harvest and preserve. Myrt canned vegetables, fruit, pickles, beef, soup and made jam and jelly to help feed the growing family. She also helped raise steers and chickens to add to the table. Our home was always open to our friends and neighbors and family, as well as anyone needing a place to celebrate holidays. Anyone could come by on Apple Blossom weekend, to catch up with family news. She especially enjoyed spending time with her sisters. She left behind legendary recipes for Lemon Meringue Pie, Raw Apple Cake, Fudge and her Almond Squares. Besides taking care of her children, she worked in berry harvests, cherry and apple orchards and fruit warehouses, until the kids were older. She later worked in retail for some years at several downtown Wenatchee stores, where many customers appreciated her lovely smile and generous attitude, before her retirement in 1984. Our entire family enjoyed singing and Mom accompanied us on the piano. She taught herself to play piano and organ and played for her church, as well as playing in the bell choir and singing alto in the choir, helping in the nursery and cleaning of the building, and was a member of the Calvary Bible Church hospitality committee for several decades. Mom's faith sustained her during life challenges and she quietly prayed for us every day. She was a wonderful blessing to everyone. Myrt and Tony were members of the church family at Calvary Bible Church since 1965, where they were involved in a variety of ministries. Mom kept her Calvary Bible Church directory at her side throughout her life and was so grateful to have a church home, where she nurtured many lifelong friendships. Mom always loved angels- she has most certainly joined with Dad and the angels in Heaven, singing in the choir and helping out occasionally on the piano. Myrt was a natural athlete. She bowled for 60 years and was named Bowler of the Year in 1974. She was elected to the local bowling association Hall of Fame in 1991. She continued to bowl in the Tuesday night league until she was 90 years old. She started golfing with Tony in the 60s and played with the Three Lakes Women's League. She also loved jigsaw puzzles and board games, delighting in winning family games of RummiKub and beating male relatives at Horseshoes. She and Tony also hunted to put meat on the table, with Myrt frequently out-hunting the other members of their party (including Tony). ~She is survived by her sisters, Jean (Bill) Harrell and Evie Dykstra; her children, Sherry Bowen-Coriell, Kathy (Gary) Lumsden, Linda Holmes-Cook (Gary), David DeRooy (Doris), Diane de Rooij, Vicki DeRooy, Tim DeRooy (Viola), and Debbie DeRooy; her grandchildren, Michael (Kris) Bowen, James (Nissa) Bowen, Julie Straw, Jeremy (Elodie) Coriell, Jennifer (Mike) Coriell Greaves, John W. (Julie) Lumsden, Jennifer (David) Davis, Anthony (Dolores Gonzalez) Lumsden, Brian Lumsden, Sam (Amber) Holmes, Abby Holmes, Jennifer Lynn Thompson, David Aaron (Jamie) Cook, Avery DeRooy, Amy Yarbrough, Adrian Snyder, Amy Monesmith, Amanda Monesmith, Mariah Kreider, Erin Thune, and Evan Thune; 42 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by her husband, Tony; her parents; sisters, Ann, Irene, Violet and Shirley; her brother, Herman; son-in-law, Don Coriell; and her great-grandson, Anthony Joseph Lumsden, Jr. ~The family wishes to thank Dr. Travis Clark, Dr. Andrew Toth and the Confluence Health Hospice Team, especially Allison and the third floor clinic hospital staff, for the comfort and guidance they provided to Mom and her family in her final months. ~An Interment will be held on Thursday, October 8, 2015, at 2:30 p.m., at the Wenatchee City Cemetery. Myrt will be remembered and celebrated in a Memorial Service at Calvary Bible Church, 605 Delaware Street, Wenatchee, on Saturday, October 10, 2015, at 1:00 p.m.

Myrt DeRooy

February 22, 1922 - October 3, 2015