Myrtle King

Myrtle L. King, long-time resident of Las Vegas (Manuelitas), NM, recently living in Albuquerque, passed quietly in her sleep into the next life at the age of 93, on October 28, 2012. Myrtle was born November 11, 1918, ending the First World War, in Dunkirk, New York, where she grew up. She received a teaching degree from Buffalo State Teachers College, and married Clifford Hall. They lived in Honeoye Falls, NY, and later Avon, NY before deciding in 1949 to move to Alaska with their young sons to become teachers for the Bureau of Indian Affairs Alaska Native Service. Clifford became ill and preceded Myrtle in death in 1951. Liking the environment in Alaska, Myrtle continued teaching in Alaska until 1959. She married Rex King in 1958. She became a member of the Baha'i Faith and was active in the Tarbiyat Baha'i Community until her death. The King family moved to Geyserville, CA in 1959, and to Largo, Florida in 1962, where Myrtle continued her teaching. In 1963, the family moved to Las Vegas, NM, where Myrtle taught and was later a Librarian at Memorial Middle School until her retirement. Her husband, Rex, preceded her in death in 1977. Always adventurous, she took up skiing in her 70's and often went skiing with her grandchildren. She was active for many years in the Alta Vista Regional Hospital Auxiliary until her age precluded driving. She is survived by her sons: Ted, Gene (Linda), and Tom (Debbie) King; eight grandchildren: Deirdre, Randall, Robin, Mark, Roger, Brendan, Jessica, and Rex; and four great-grandchildren: Alex, Merle, Nathan, and Tristan. Many family and friends wear the products of her prolific knitting skills, and she collected materials to assist teachers in their creative projects. Memorials may be made to the NMHU Foundation Scholarship Fund, Box 9000, Las Vegas, NM 87701. A public memorial service will be held in Las Vegas at the Presbyterian Fellowship Hall, 1000 Douglas Ave, Las Vegas, New Mexico on April 27th at 4pm.