Myrna (Edesess) Selby

concluding a life in which she blazed a path of independence and impact.

She attended Solomon Lewenberg School for junior high and Jeremiah E. Burke School for high school where she studied Latin and French. She began her college education at Tufts University and was interested in math and science. She loved to sing and was in the choir. Myrna and Sumner married in June 1956. They eventually moved to Indiana so Sumner could pursue business opportunities, and Myrna completed her college degree at Butler University in Indianapolis.

While juggling the responsibilities of four children and numerous dogs, cats and other small animals, she co-founded Cardinal Sales with Sumner and served as the inside staff to support him as he traveled as a consumer electronics salesman. Eventually, she founded her own company, Midstates Distributing, a successful housewares distribution company. Once Myrna and Sumner retired to Boca Raton, her leadership acumen was further recognized as she led communications workshops around the world for Landmark Education. Along the way she made lasting relationships and provided valuable support to many who relied on her.

Myrna was an independent woman. While a college degree and a Bat Mitzvah were not part of her parents’ plans for her, she received both thanks to her personal drive and commitment. She didn’t take the path most traveled and because of that she was able to enjoy a life unlike her contemporaries.

Her 63-year marriage to Sumner began with the magical devotion of teenagers and culminated in the steadfast love of two people who supported each other through a lifelong journey. They made homes together in Massachusetts, Ohio, Indiana and Florida. They cherished their extended family in the Florida Mission Bay community who were wonderful friends, canasta partners and tennis teammates.

Myrna’s sister, Ann, was also a big part of her life. The two sisters shared secrets while sharing a bedroom as girls and exchanged advice and stories in their regular phone calls as adults. She was heartbroken at the loss of her younger brother, Robert, in 2006, yet was comforted by the lasting relationship with his wife Poolsiri and their sons.

Myrna touched the lives of so many and will be deeply missed. She is survived by her children and their partners, Jan, Keith (Bess), Beth (Eric) and Kim (Dave); her grandchildren Leah, Jack, Jenna, Max, Zach, Stephanie, Marina, Katrina, Daniel and Matthew; and her great-granddaughter Sage, who brought her such joy in her final months.

We will remember her lovingly as an intelligent, strong woman and trailblazer.

Donations in Myrna’s memory may be given to the Parkinson’s Foundation (Parkinson.org)

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A graveside & virtual service for Myrna will be held Tuesday, December 28, 2021 at 10:30 AM (Eastern Time) at The Garden of Jordan at Bailey Memorial, 7701 Bailey Road, North Lauderdale, FL.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.starofdavidfuneralchapel.com for the Selby family.