Myra Merkal

When we lived in White Rock, 1990 - 2007, she contributed greatly to our family life. Celebrations, laughter, women’s circle… deep appreciation for her bright light that shone into our lives ~ ❤️

I have such fond memories of Myra when we worked together at KPMG. She was my manager and she was always a positive light for me. She was encouraging and approachable. I went to some of her women's group meetings and I was always in awe of her strong and sincere desire to help people. And she always made it fun. I helped at some of the princess parties and again was impressed by her hard work and desire to help raise money for the all abilities park in White rock. I remember Myra with total admiration for her personality ,her continuous smile and her constant desire to help others . Myra was one in a million and she will be missed.
Rest in peace my dear friend.

My dear friend, Myra.

Our story began, a long time ago, far off in a large log cabin, where women from all walks of life gathered for a three day weekend, all bunked together in smaller cabins. Our speakers for the weekend were Myra, and Nancy Kerner. Our lives were forever changed with the teachings of these two powerful women.

The teachings were based of how to live, love and laugh as females on this planet. Many of us let go of a lot of baggage that day. That weekend was very special for me, as it sparked a 20 + year friendship for Myra and I. I have been very blessed to have her as a friend for so long.

Myra and Nancy held many other weekend retreats, but one in particular where everyone had to dress up, Myra surprised us all, as a look-a-like, Phyllis Diller costume. It was in that moment, that my admiration of her acting talent was so prevalent. She was such a great actress. I think she missed her calling, as you could put her in any costume and she could play the spirit of that character, like nobodies business. I hope to find that picture of her dressed as Phyllis Diller one day and post it here, as it is stored away,

My fondest past memory of Myra, and I, is, she hired me to help her Feng Shui her home and office, While organizing her office she showed me the notes to a book she wanted to write. I insisted she get this book off the ground as it would be a best seller. The next week we did a VIP and spent 12 hours together. We got all the chapters done, and her title, and back cover, thought out, and ideas for each chapter. I surprised her the next day with a canva front cover. This got her even more motivated. I have often thought that she had so many notes, and enough of us could probably get together, who know so much about her, that we might be able to finish the book for her, and get it published, with the help of Steve, when you see the title below. As I have left a picture of it.

The last time I was physically in the presence of Myra, is her attendance, with Steve, at my 65th birthday party. I am putting a video up in the video section of her holding the huge cake, while dancing and singing happy birthday to me so we have something 'live' to remember her by as she was so in the moment. In the meantime, I have attached a picture for now of her beautiful spirit.

There are many stories I will share in the future, but this last story, I will share, is a miracle in itself.

In March of 2025, Myra and I began our pursuit to find me a permanent suite by the ocean in White Rock. My lease was up October 31st, 2025. By September, nothing was in the horizon and unfortunately Myra got sick. So, we conversed by text, as she just wanted to be with her family.

The last week in October was coming close and still no, suite, so I asked my current landlords for a five-day extension. On November 1st, a suite appeared, out of nowhere, brand new, never been lived in, deck and ocean view. However, the problem was the landlord was in Africa, so the back and forth with the property manager took 4 days, I signed the contract on my birthday the 4th and moved the next day on the fifth. The address is 15311 - Victoria Avenue, exactly 10 doors down from Myra's place. I wanted to surprise her, so I planned to come and see her Sunday. The night prior, to my visit she passed away. I was devastated, so, I wrote a poem in her memory, below.

The miracle in all of this, is what are the odds, that the people at my last place were not moving into till the 15th, and right after I signed the 5 day extension, a place became available, at last minute, 10 doors down from Myra's place, with all I ever wanted, and the numbers equate to my numerology life path. I think MIRACLE MYRA, truthfully had something to do with it. Still to this day it is my belief she lined up the events for this to transpire, and I am sticking to that story. Thank you my friend. I know it was you!!!

Myra was the perfection of love, joy, laughter, and living life to the fullest. She inspired and touched the hearts of many. She was my hero, confident, and partner in crime to get into lots of mischief and fun. I love you, and miss you deeply, sista' from another lifetime. xoxoxoxox

What a sad day !! I’m so sorry for your loss brother.

​✨️ Myra Miracle Myra truly lived up to her name. I first remember seeing princess party photos on Facebook about 12 years ago. I saw this woman with a bright smile and all these girls dressed up in sparkles with a beautiful ocean view in the background. She inspired me and I could not wait to meet her. When I finally did she was everything in those photos and more. As more miracles would happen we ended up being neighbours many years later.
​I will always remember waving across the decks as we each watered our flower planters together. Her petunias were always so healthy and happy and I definitely had flower envy. I was so grateful when I asked Myra if I could walk with her sometime and she said sure. That one morning turned into many. Our route usually took us to West Beach and up the ravine to Centennial Park. It was the best time to hear the birds see the squirrels and clear the slugs from the path.
​We would meet at 7:30 a.m. and she was always dressed in such bright colours like fluorescent pink and yellow or blue with her sparkling smile ready to go. That was Myra brightening up the environment everywhere she went. Often we stopped at Starbucks on the way home as part of her ritual.
​Myra was a lover of all things. She loved her husband so much and married him not once but twice. She always spoke so highly and so proudly of her family including her husband her sons their beautiful wives and her grandbabies. She even spoke proudly of taking care of the chickens and the other animals and wanted so much for everyone around her to be happy.
​She was also one of my biggest cheerleaders. She knew my vision for Ladies In Power and was excited to help me grow it. She told me the community needs this and that she believed in me. She gave me great advice about love and communication and understanding the masculine and feminine with patience and compromise.
​It was just a week after she shared those words of belief in my vision that she got her diagnosis. I look back at the photos from the Ladies In Power launch where she came in full support and we dressed up like princesses. She looked incredible. She did not look a day over 60 and had a body for days. It is so hard to believe that just a few months after that event she was gone.
​I remember so vividly when we were walking through the forest and it opened up to a track. It seemed like the entire school was there laughing and celebrating. We saw children running a relay and she said “Let’s just stand here for a bit and watch and listen to the kids, isn’t it so beautiful listening to them laugh and cheer each other on?” We stood off to the side and watched the kids running their hearts out and passing batons. It was a true testament to how she was so present and so focused on the joy.
​That same spirit is why she would often stop to swing on the swings at Centennial Park. She fundraised for that park and was so proud of how her family and her community were involved in making that happen. In my heart that will always be a part of her legacy and I will always remember her when I swing.
​It was just the other day that I was out starting my planters for spring. I looked over at her deck and imagined her there waving and smiling with the sun beaming down on her. I waved over at the memory somehow feeling her waving back. It was just an hour later that the post for her memorial came onto my Facebook feed. I truly believe she is still with us in many ways inspiring and encouraging and laughing and offering her bright smile. We love you forever Myra and we are so grateful for our time together.

https://peacearchnews.com/2016/05/19/fashion-show-to-be-seriously-fun An article from Peace Arch News about a Canadian Association of Retired Persons (CARP) fundraider for Myra's All Abilities Park.

Sorry for your loss my friend! Our condolences!❤️🙏🏽

I'm sorry to hear of her passing 😔. She touched so many lives, inspiring many, and leaves a great legacy. My condolences to your family, may loving and fun memories help you through this time. 💗

Really enjoyed talking with her at the pool at the Bay View Grand in Ixtapa also having dinner with her in Palm Springs so sorry for your loss and sad to here this news❤

So sorry for your loss. Condolences to her family 💕

In a lifetime, a person is fortunate to find a handful of “true friends”. As my friendship with Myra blossomed, we became “kindred spirits” open to sharing at a very deep level. We were there for each other under all circumstances.
Myra was a unique gift to all of us. She was intelligent, inquisitive, caring and playful. She was the sister I always longed for.
I miss you so much dear lady.
Janis

1. Naughty is nice
There is this effervescence about you Myra, it bubbles up in a rich naughtiness. Now, I don’t want to get into trouble here and say that at times you are not so restrained in enjoying life and want to take people into another dimension where they will have to let loose! OK, so rather a complicated sentence – you just love to challenge our boundaries. Like, in Santiago Compostela, the holy city at the end of the Camino. Such a holy city with all the pilgrims feeling holier than holy, everyone staid and serious, dressed in hiking clothes and sensible shoes. . We are sitting in a square sipping coffee surrounded by other pilgrims, Myra whips out of her backpack a furry head band with pink hearts bobbing on top, she puts it on and continues to sip her coffee with a wicked grin on her face. My reaction a minute later when I look up, of course, the sensible sister: “Myra, please restrain yourself” and her answer. “Hell, this is life and I am living it”. She’s got a point there; she did look rather glamorous.

Which brings me to the next story, and the question of glamour, which would have been the 8th category, but that can come in 10 years. So my 50th birthday party in Christchurch, New Zealand. The decision was to have a dress-up party, people were asked to come dressed as who they want to be. We built a short catwalk out the back of our sunroom so the guests would each have an opportunity to strut their desires and dream personality. Myra was so wonderful to come to the party all the way from Canada. In Christchurch we had invited many friends, two of them, an Indian couple, couldn’t come to the evening event so they dropped in earlier in the afternoon. I must clarify that this couple were, hmmmm, proper, is the word. We, the family, were already dressed in our costumes by the time our Indian couple arrived. Myra was inside getting dressed as a luscious Dolly Parton, wig, balloons, torn leopard tights, heavy makeup, bright red lips and so forth. I were sitting in the sunroom sipping tea with our Indian friends when Myra emerged from the house- bouncing, swinging, smiling and ----right into the proper, staid lap of our Indian friend as his wife looked on. Myra purred and flirted to his rising pleasure and his wife’s growing restlessness. They didn’t stay long, but the event gave me a visual memory for a lifetime.

When Myra turned 70 she had a big party to have fun and enjoy life with her community. I couldn't be there so I gave her a diary filled with stories about her life. I drafted the stories around seven characteristics which I told Myra were the essence of her being - aspects of her that were so much a part of her they were her.
The seven characteristics are:
1. Naughty is nice
2. Family comes first
3. Miracles are everywhere
4. Values are the basis of life
5. Fun and laughter are the spice of life
6. Transformations help us grow
7. Community is everyone who touches me
In the next few posts I'll write one story around each of these characteristics, hope others will also share their stories about Myra.