Madeline A Myers

Madeline was born on November 28, 1934 in Baltimore, Maryland. She married to George W. Myers Sr. on May 16, 1953. She was preceded in death by her husband George W. Myers Sr. She is survived by son, George W. Myers Jr.; daughter, Valerie (Tim) Whitman; grandchildren, George W.(Kelly) Myers III, Katie (Jed) Hawkins and Toni Evangelista (Austin Brocket); great grandchildren, Dominic Myers, Ethan Myers, Aiden Olfat and Ella Hawkins.

In Baltimore, Mom worked for a stockbroker (Baker Watts) before her and dad moved to Florida in 1976. Once moving to Florida, she worked in a clerical position for Sperry Microwave; a finger print technician for the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office; and then as Receptionist for Concurrent Technologies. As she was working for the Sheriff’s Office, she also took classes so that she could get her GED. So when she was about 65 she officially graduated from high school. What an achievement!

Mom’s life revolved around her family and her faith in God. At Sacred Heart Church, she was a Eucharistic Minister, attended Mass weekly, and always donated to whatever cause they were collecting for. Her love of the family was the most important thing to her and she instilled that in each and every one of us. She loved our family gatherings whether it be Christmas, Thanksgiving, etc. or just enjoying several dozen blue crabs and cold Bud Lite on the deck. If the family was going to a baseball game, you better had counted her in. If the family were going to the zoo, she would want to be included. Whatever it was that the family was doing, Mom was always a part of it.

She loved playing with her grandchildren and her great grandchildren. It didn’t matter if she had to lay on the floor with them, chase them around the yard, or hold them in her lap. It made her happy.

During the past 4 years, she was faced with a challenge known as ovarian cancer. She accepted that challenge and fought it with everything she had. With the love of her family and her faith in God, she was able to kick the cancer’s butt for 4 years. Her perseverance and strength is a reminder that if something is worth fighting for – you fight.

Fun Fact: One Thanksgiving, Mom accidentally grabbed the eggnog instead of the milk to make mashed potatoes. Needless to say the mashed potatoes were not a big hit.

Did you know Mom’s two favorite tv shows were “The Golden Girls” and “NCIS”. How about her favorite movie – “Gone with the Wind”. What about her favorite actor – Clark Gable of course. Can you guess who mom’s favorite singer was – “Dean Martin” – she just adored him; followed by Elvis Presley. Her favorite colors were pinks and purples. She loved her crossword and word search books and even did them in pen.

Fun Fact: Did you know that Mom and Dad were actually married twice to each other? Once before he left for Korea and when he returned, they married again. True Love!

Mom loved to cook and a great cook she was (other than the eggnog mashed potatoes). So much so that she always fixed enough to feed an army. We always had tons of food leftover except when she would make her version of Swedish Meatballs or her macaroni salad – everyone would fight over these. But of course the best dish that she was known for was her spaghetti sauce and meatballs – perfect every time.

Swedish Meatballs

2 – 3 lbs ground beef

1 teaspoon salt

Few dashes of pepper

2 eggs beaten

½ tsp allspice

1 tsp ground coffee

Chopped onion sautéed

½ cup – 1 cup Italian bread crumbs

1 ½ cups half & half

1 can beef broth

2 cans brown gravy

Soak breadcrumbs in half & half for 15 minutes

Mix in meat, stir in eggs, onions, coffee, seasonings and rest of the half and half

Make the meatballs and then place in hot skillet (with butter or shortening); cook until brown on all sides

Place meatballs, broth and gravy in crockpot and let cook for a little while

ENJOY!

Fun Fact: When she saw Elvis Presley in concert in 1977 at the Bayfront Center, St. Petersburg, Floirda she was the one acting like a swooning teenage girl – screaming for Elvis.

Macaroni Salad

Elbow macaroni

Chopped onion, chopped green pepper, chopped celery

1 lb. shrimp – steamed with Old Bay, peeled and chopped

Celery seed, salt and pepper to taste

A little bit of vinegar, mayo and sugar to make the dressing

Cook macaroni as directed, drain and mix in all ingredients

Fun Fact: Did you know that Mom could probably be named the fastest crab picker when eating blue crabs? She had a natural talent for picking those crabs clean. Her rule was, you eat one, you pick one for the crab cakes.

She may not have been a wealthy woman as far as riches go, but what she lacked there she sure made up in the love of her family. She was our strength, our pal, our confidant, our friend, our mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. She will be truly missed but will always be in our hearts forever.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her name to the Florida Cancer Foundation (a foundation that actually helps patients with their needs).

Arrangements were made under the direction of Garden Sanctuary Funeral Home, 7950 131st Street, Seminole, FL 33776 / 727-391-0121.