Myrna Braley Prevost

Myrna was born August 20, 1936, in Franklin, New Hampshire. The daughter of Richard and Flora Braley, she grew up in Hebron, New Hampshire, as did several generations of Braleys before her, and was educated in a one-room schoolhouse. She graduated from Bristol High School as the valedictorian of her class. A gifted pianist, she enjoyed accompanying a local rope-skipping squad on piano when they performed in competitions.

Myrna went on to pursue a degree in English education at Keene Teachers College, where she met Ferd. After several years of dating, including visits to the Braley home where they sat holding hands on the couch, Myrna and Ferd were married at Union Congregational Church in Hebron in 1957.

After first living in Troy and Hanover, the couple moved to a house in a new development in the Heights section of Concord in 1963. They raised their four children there, and Myrna prided herself on being a devoted mother. She packed bag lunches in the morning, and often had freshly baked cookies waiting when the school day was done. She led Girl Scout cookie drives, taught Sunday school at South Church, and made countless trips to music and dance lessons, sports practices and the local pool. She knit Christmas stockings, sewed Easter dresses, and ironed everyone’s clothes while watching The Merv Griffin Show. Her lasagna and cheesecake became staples of the family’s Christmas feasts.

While her children were young, Myrna worked at night teaching English as a second language to adult immigrants. At the end of each semester and during the holiday season, she invited her students to bring their favorite native dishes to a potluck supper, which inevitably resulted in a delicious smorgasbord that the whole family looked forward to. Later she worked as a salesclerk at the Chandler Shop, a popular gift shop then on Main Street in Concord. And after taking courses in flower arranging, Myrna started her own business — The Silk Bouquet — selling silk flower arrangements of her own design at craft fairs and by special order.

Myrna joined South Church in 1964 and was engaged in church activities throughout her life. In addition to teaching Sunday school, she sang in the choir, played in the bell choir, went on women’s retreats, and served as a lay minister.

In her free time, Myrna enjoyed swimming, practicing Tai Chi, traveling with Ferd and dining out. She dutifully read the Concord Monitor every day up until the very end.

Myrna is survived by her children Kira Meeken and her husband David, Lisa Prevost Sandler and her husband Timothy, Richard Prevost and Darren Prevost; her grandchildren Aaron Meeken, Max Sandler, Tess Sandler, Sophia Prevost and her husband Cole, Hannah Prevost and Alex Prevost; and her sister Carole Drake and her husband Kenneth.

The family extends heartfelt thanks to the caring and compassionate staff at The Birches. A celebration of Myrna's life will be held at South Church, 27 Pleasant St., Concord on Thursday, July 24 at 1:30 p.m.