Myrna Joanne (Dolven) Anderson

Myrna Joanne (Dolven) Anderson, age 90, passed away peacefully on February 25, 2023. Myrna was born in Harlem, Montana on June 29, 1932, to the late Carl Howard (“Cully”) Dolven and Ruth (Johnson) Dolven. Her father originally moved to Montana as a homesteader but later settled in Blaine County where he opened the first Chevrolet car dealership.

Myrna attended Harlem High School and the University of Montana in Missoula where she majored in English. It was there that she met her husband, Norman Duane Anderson, of Chinook, Montana. In June of 1955, immediately following graduation, they were married, honeymooning at Sperry Chalet, in Glacier National Park.



They resided in Kalispell, Montana for a brief period of time where Myrna taught middle school Spanish and French. After moving to St. Louis, Missouri, where her husband attended medical school at Washington University, Myrna began teaching high school English and French.

They moved again to Baltimore, Maryland, where Norman completed an internship and residency at Johns Hopkins Hospital. This was followed by a year in Frankfurt, Germany where Norman was stationed as a military doctor in the Army. This afforded them a wonderful opportunity to travel throughout Europe. Upon returning to the states, they resided in Philadelphia for three years as her husband completed his fellowship at the University of Pennsylvania. They finally settled in Baltimore (Towson) where Norman spent the remainder of his career at Hopkins and where they ultimately raised their four sons. Despite the constant activity, Myrna always maintained a calm demeanor. Myrna returned to school and earned a Master of Liberal Arts degree from Johns Hopkins University. She enjoyed playing the piano, was an avid reader, and master of the daily New York Times crossword puzzles. She derived much enjoyment and relaxation from tending to her many beautiful flower gardens. She was an excellent bridge player and taught her sons how to play as well. She eventually joined a local bridge club in Towson which she belonged to for many years. Myrna enjoyed visiting her family members who lived in various states around the country. However, one of the most memorable trips of her life was to Norway and Sweden where she reunited with some of her very distant relatives. Myrna took several family members along with her, including some of her grandchildren. Myrna was a wonderful cook and she and Norman hosted many family backyard cookouts. We will always remember her delicious London Broils, homemade German potato salad, molasses crinkles and chocolate chip cookies. Myrna spent most of her final year living in McLean, Virginia where her son, Dr. Eric Anderson, personally supervised every aspect of her care, for which the family will be eternally grateful. Myrna will be greatly missed by all who knew her.



Myrna is preceded in death by her parents, “Cully” and Ruth Dolven, one sister Bernice (“Bunny”) Beall, her husband Dr. Norman D. Anderson and her son Matthew J. Anderson (Cathy). She is survived by her sons, Dr. Stephen C. Anderson, (Kathy), of St. Petersburg, Florida; Dr. Bruce D. Anderson (Carrie) of Titusville, New Jersey and Dr. Eric D. Anderson (Dina) of McLean, Virginia, nine grandchildren and three great-grandchildren, as well as several nieces and nephews.