Myrna Joyce Yanovich

Myrna Joyce Yanovich (nee Camenga/O'Hearn), widow of the late John "Jack" Yanovich, passed away peacefully on July 8, 2024, with loving family around her just two weeks after her 89th birthday. Myrna was born in upstate NY to the late Katherine Jean Jennings & Harold F. Camenga.

She married Marvin C. O'Hearn in 1951 and had three children in New York state and the youngest two in Anchorage, Alaska. The family returned to New York before moving to Connecticut where Myrna met Jack. Her children moved to California, Vermont and, eventually, she and Jack retired to Florida and to be close to her youngest. After her husband passed in 2015 she relocated back to CT but decided against northern winters and returned to FL where she spent her remaining years living with and being cared for by her loving daughter Kelli.

Myrna had wanted to be a model as a teen but though that did not occur, she was a diligent worker whether as a waitress or just taking in laundry to make ends meet as a single mom. She was proud to work in Admissions at Wesleyan University, and how she moved up through the ranks at Standard Knapp and Airex Rubber Company even though she was unable to complete High School.

Myrna was predeceased by her infant son Randy, her father and mother, her sister Marie Mussision, her great-granddaughter Kayla Marie Lackey, the love of her life John Yanovich and more recently her brother Carl Camenga and  son Marvin C. O'Hearn Jr. who she referred to as her "sweet  boy". She is survived by her youngest brother Verne (Holly)Camenga of Lowville NY and her loving children: Patricia (Patti) Berger in Los Angeles,California, Michael John(Ruth) O'Hearn of Vermont, Cathy (Marvin Jr.) O'Hearn of East Hampton and Kelli (Brad) Geddeis of Rotonda West, Florida. She was immensely proud of her grandchildren in birth order: Erin (Brad) Lackey, Michelle (Jason) O'Hearn, Michael (MJ) O'Hearn, Jr., Micah (Angel) Berger, Hannah Berger, Ethan (Heather) Berger, Jason (Leah) O'Hearn, Jesse (Tammy) Berger, Jared (Paige) O'Hearn as well as her grandchildren through marriage Stacey (Eric) Gibson, Lauren (Steve) Geddeis, and John (Elizabeth) Geddeis. She maintained strong connections to her loving niece Brenda (Don) Stillman and so many more nieces, nephews, 15 great-grandchildren and one great-grandchild and their families.

One favorite quote that she reminded herself and others about was "If your absence doesn't affect them your presence never mattered."  Myrna knew life is a balance of holding on and letting go! How lucky we all have been to  have had someone that makes letting go so difficult.

Calling hours will occur at Spencer Funeral Home 112 Main Street East Hampton, CT on Friday, August 23 from 9:30am to 11:30am. Burial will be at 12 noon at the State Veterans Cemetery in Middletown, CT where she will finally join "Jack" for eternity.  

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Myrna Joyce Yanovich, please visit our floral store.