Fortified with the Sacraments of Holy Mother Church, Myrna Jeanne Shaneyfelt, formerly of Grants Pass, Oregon passed into the arms of Our Lord Jesus Christ Friday, July 17, 2026. Born September 26, 1936, in Inglewood, California, Myrna is the daughter of William and Bertha (Jacobsen) Albany. She grew up in Fresno, California, graduating from San Joaquin Memorial HS in 1954. During this time she began her career as a swim teacher and lifeguard at the age of 14, ultimately specializing in infant and special needs swim instruction, teaching thousands of children and adults to swim during her 63 years of instruction.

She met Billy Davis Shaneyfelt while working at Douglas Aircraft’s Santa Monica plant and they were married on November 29, 1958. Myrna and Bill lived in Sylmar, CA with their growing family until relocating to Grants Pass in 1970. There they established deep roots in the Southern Oregon Community, where they were active in the Catholic Parishes of Our Lady of Fatima in Shady Cove and St Ann’s in Grants Pass.

Myrna was a daily communicant and adorer of the Blessed Sacrament. She also took Third Order vows in the Servants of Mary (Servites).

She taught generations of young Oregonians to swim, taking special joy in seeing her former students bringing their children and grandchildren to the pool for lessons.

Myrna passionately defended the rights of the unborn, serving as the founder and long-time President of the Josephine County Right to Life for many years. In 2021, Oregon Right to Life presented her with a statewide lifetime achievement award.

She served as the foundation of a vibrant and busy home, typically filled with the friends of their three sons, an amazing cast of foreign exchange students, visiting bishops, priests and religious, and young mothers-to-be who needed shelter in a time of need.

Myrna is survived by her three sons: David (Cari) of Santa Paula, CA; Dan; and Sam (Kim) of Denton, TX; daughter-in-law Debbie of Eugene, OR; 17 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; brother Anthony Albany of Scottsdale, AZ; and countless brothers and sisters in Christ whose lives she touched during her amazing 89 years of life. Myrna was preceded in death by her parents and her husband.

Her family sends heartfelt thanks to Sharon Pichon, who was her steadfast partner in prayer since Myrna’s arrival in the Denton area in 2020, and Rhonda Domon of Selah Ridge for the loving, Christ-centered care she gave Myrna in her final months.

Visitation will be held Monday, July 27, 6:00-8:00 p.m. with a Rosary beginning at 7:00 p.m.at Mulkey-Bowles-Montgomery Funeral Home, Denton. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, July 28 at St. Mark Catholic Church in Argyle with a Rosary Vigil at 9:30 a.m. followed by Mass at 10:00 a.m. 

A graveside service and interment will take place at Holy Cross Cemetery, 5835 W. Slauson Ave, Culver City, California, during the week of August 3, 2026.

A Memorial Mass will also be celebrated later at St. Anne’s Parish, Grants Pass, Oregon later in August.