Obituary for Myrtle Belle Buller (Vardy)
On May 4, 2023 Myrtle Buller (nee Vardy) with family by her side, escaped her failing mind and body for whatever comes next. She was peaceful and pain free.
Born in the 1930’s when women had much less choice, Myrtle had strong desires for travel and work so she left her home in Clarenville, NFLD at age 17 to attend Nursing school in Ottawa Ontario. Upon completion of her nursing studies her intention was to head west to Vancouver to find work. She ran short on funds stopped to work in Sault Ste. Marie at the General Hospital. In the Soo, she met life-long best friend Rosemarie McPherson as well as the love of her life, Donald Case Buller. She was a strong, independent sort that had no intention of being a “stay at home mom” (not that there’s anything wrong with that!). Much to her chagrin her plans for travel were thwarted by love. After many proposals Casey persuaded Myrtle to marry in September of 1959. Myrtle spent the next thirty + years finding work/ life balance that most women can only aspire to. She worked full time as a Registered Nurse while accomplishing the rearing of 3 brilliant children, travelling to far off places, earning a degree in Psychology from Algoma University, all the while proudly maintaining a home that could have been featured in Style at Home magazine.
Myrtle was a complicated woman, she spent her life inexplicably torn between the want/need for adventure and travel and the solitude of quiet time spent alone lost in the pages of a favourite book. She inspired many with her staunch independence. She taught her children that education was of the utmost importance, to speak out for what they believed in, to maintain their own bank accounts and to be self reliant. In her later years, she bravely ventured into unknown crazy situations like boating with Mark (that is always a little hair raising), driving from Vancouver to Mexico with Trish for 5 months and even helping Leslie load horses.
She also showed us that great love is possible more than once. Mitchell Hrynuik was a wonderful friend to Myrtle in the time that they were together.
Myrtle enjoyed the finer things in life, she loved coffee, cashmere, scotch, boating, reading, knitting, home décor, pottery, dogs and spending time with friends on Pine Island. As time passed and she found herself a widow in 1992, she continued to travel but she was happiest enjoying the solitude of Pine Island.
Myrtle is survived by her children, Mark Buller, Trish Buller and Leslie Buller-Hayes, her grand children Zoë Overdulve (Joshua) and Jacob Buller, great grand-children Zachary and Cameron Overdulve and Sophie Buller, her brothers Alan Vardy, Stan Vardy, and Donald Vardy (Joan) her sister-in-law Una Jamieson (John) as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
Myrtle was predeceased by grand daughter Kacy Buller-Tisdall, her husband, Donald Case Buller, her partner and friend Mitchell Hrynuik, her parents Alice Maude King and Wilson Moses Vardy and her brothers Edgar Vardy, Alfred Vardy (Alice) and Frank Vardy (Olive). Her in-laws Bill Buller, Jesse Case, Gordy Buller (Martina), Joe Buller (Margaret), Tom Buller (Sirkka), Georgina Fuller (Allan) her dear friend Rosemarie McPherson, and a number of nieces and nephews.
Special thanks to the Health Care staff of 2C at the Sault Area Hospital.
Myrtle was not a charitable sort so in lieu of donations, find some solitude and enjoy some quiet time under a Pine tree perhaps or give your loved ones a solid hug today for tomorrow is never promised.
At Myrtle’s request there is to be no formal service. Cremation has taken place. As per written instructions a Celebration of life may occur in the future, providing we don’t make a mess and be careful where we place our glasses.
Born in the 1930’s when women had much less choice, Myrtle had strong desires for travel and work so she left her home in Clarenville, NFLD at age 17 to attend Nursing school in Ottawa Ontario. Upon completion of her nursing studies her intention was to head west to Vancouver to find work. She ran short on funds stopped to work in Sault Ste. Marie at the General Hospital. In the Soo, she met life-long best friend Rosemarie McPherson as well as the love of her life, Donald Case Buller. She was a strong, independent sort that had no intention of being a “stay at home mom” (not that there’s anything wrong with that!). Much to her chagrin her plans for travel were thwarted by love. After many proposals Casey persuaded Myrtle to marry in September of 1959. Myrtle spent the next thirty + years finding work/ life balance that most women can only aspire to. She worked full time as a Registered Nurse while accomplishing the rearing of 3 brilliant children, travelling to far off places, earning a degree in Psychology from Algoma University, all the while proudly maintaining a home that could have been featured in Style at Home magazine.
Myrtle was a complicated woman, she spent her life inexplicably torn between the want/need for adventure and travel and the solitude of quiet time spent alone lost in the pages of a favourite book. She inspired many with her staunch independence. She taught her children that education was of the utmost importance, to speak out for what they believed in, to maintain their own bank accounts and to be self reliant. In her later years, she bravely ventured into unknown crazy situations like boating with Mark (that is always a little hair raising), driving from Vancouver to Mexico with Trish for 5 months and even helping Leslie load horses.
She also showed us that great love is possible more than once. Mitchell Hrynuik was a wonderful friend to Myrtle in the time that they were together.
Myrtle enjoyed the finer things in life, she loved coffee, cashmere, scotch, boating, reading, knitting, home décor, pottery, dogs and spending time with friends on Pine Island. As time passed and she found herself a widow in 1992, she continued to travel but she was happiest enjoying the solitude of Pine Island.
Myrtle is survived by her children, Mark Buller, Trish Buller and Leslie Buller-Hayes, her grand children Zoë Overdulve (Joshua) and Jacob Buller, great grand-children Zachary and Cameron Overdulve and Sophie Buller, her brothers Alan Vardy, Stan Vardy, and Donald Vardy (Joan) her sister-in-law Una Jamieson (John) as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
Myrtle was predeceased by grand daughter Kacy Buller-Tisdall, her husband, Donald Case Buller, her partner and friend Mitchell Hrynuik, her parents Alice Maude King and Wilson Moses Vardy and her brothers Edgar Vardy, Alfred Vardy (Alice) and Frank Vardy (Olive). Her in-laws Bill Buller, Jesse Case, Gordy Buller (Martina), Joe Buller (Margaret), Tom Buller (Sirkka), Georgina Fuller (Allan) her dear friend Rosemarie McPherson, and a number of nieces and nephews.
Special thanks to the Health Care staff of 2C at the Sault Area Hospital.
Myrtle was not a charitable sort so in lieu of donations, find some solitude and enjoy some quiet time under a Pine tree perhaps or give your loved ones a solid hug today for tomorrow is never promised.
At Myrtle’s request there is to be no formal service. Cremation has taken place. As per written instructions a Celebration of life may occur in the future, providing we don’t make a mess and be careful where we place our glasses.