Myrna Shapiro

Myrna Shapiro of El Paso, Texas passed away on August 26, 2018 after living a full life as a loving wife and mother, a devoted grandmother, an intrepid traveler, and a great and unwavering friend to many. Born on September 23, 1938 in Brooklyn, New York to Sidney and Lee Farber, Myrna graduated from Erasmus Hall High School in 1956 with her twin brother Philip before she entered the workforce in New York City.

In 1960 Myrna married Stephen, her true love, while he was completing his medical training before earning his MD. Upon Stephen graduating from medical school Myrna and Stephen moved to Washington D.C. where he entered active duty as an Air Force officer and was assigned to the Walter Reed Army Medical Center for five years. From 1960-1963 Myrna enthusiastically worked as a legal secretary in Washington D.C. until she chose to stay home and raise the first of her three sons. During her years in Washington D.C., Myrna thrived by exploring the city and seeking out its diverse offerings.

In 1965 Myrna and Stephen moved to San Antonio, Texas and later welcomed two more sons. While living in San Antonio with a flair and style all her own, Myrna became engaged as a remarkable hostess and entertainer. From party planning to cooking, Myrna always wanted her friends and guests to feel welcomed into her home so that good food and spirited conversation could be shared by all.

Myrna then spent the next seven years (1973-1980) living in West Germany and England while Stephen served in various leadership roles for the Air Force, including providing medical care to air crews as a flight surgeon and being assigned as the Hospital Commander for 20th Tactical Fighter Wing at RAF Upper Heyford outside of Oxford, England. During these seven years Myrna was enthralled because she had the opportunity to travel throughout Europe from Spain, to Italy and even to the Soviet Union with one of her best friends. From visiting and savoring world class art galleries to spending countless hours browsing little shops in out of the way Cotswold villages, Myrna devoured her years in Europe and tirelessly worked to ensure that her children took full advantage of this unique experience. Additionally, during these years in Europe Myrna continued with her lifelong passion for acquiring knowledge by demonstrating a true passion to learn about Europe’s history, culture, places and people.

In 1980 Myrna and her family moved back to Washington D.C. followed by another move in 1982 to Robins AFB, Georgia before relocating back to Andrews AFB in 1984 where she resided until 1989.

From 1987 to 1989 while Stephen served as the Commander of Malcolm Grow Medical Center at Andrews AFB after being promoted to the rank of Brigadier General on July 1, 1987, Myrna continued with her stellar reputation of being a key and impactful military spouse whose reliable leadership efforts were always focused on working to ensure that meeting the diverse needs of military families was of a paramount importance. Myrna championed the cause that taking care of a military family was a key component for a service member to be able to thrive as a defender of this nation.

From 1989 to 1992 Myrna lived at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio before Stephen retired after 32 years of active duty service.

Then in 1992 Myrna moved to El Paso where Stephen served as the Chief of Staff for the VA Medical Center. During Myrna’s decades in El Paso, a place that she could finally establish roots and call home, she was an active member and leader in the Westside Welcome Club. Furthermore, for years in El Paso Myrna continued as a superior hostess and party planner who truly enjoyed opening her home to friends from near and far. Additionally, building off of her experience of being raised in New York Myrna was a lifelong supporter of the arts and was avid patron of the UTEP Dinner Theater where she and her dear friends would often attend and rave about the various performances

Myrna, who was proceeded in death by her beloved Stephen, her husband of 52 years, is survived by their three boys, David of El Paso, TX, Robert of Louisville, CO and Marc of Wesley Chapel, FL, as well as daughter-in-law’s Holly and Heidi, and their four special grandchildren, Logan, Erika, Zachary and Rachel.