Myrtle Megas Cordon, aka Sally, died January 26, 2025 in Tucson, Arizona. She was 92.

Born in the spring of 1932 in Rock Springs, Wyoming to Nick Megas and Ellenor Stewart Hodge, Myrt joined her older brothers John and George in a mining camp near Superior, Wyoming. Her father immigrated to America in 1912 from Madara, Crete in Greece and worked in the coal mines of Wyoming. Being of Greek heritage was a deep source of pride for Myrt and she joyfully shared the Greek version of her name: Myrthia Anethea Mighiakis. After her brothers had both enlisted in the U.S. Army, the family moved to Turlock, CA in 1944, where Myrt attended Lowell School, Turlock HS, Modesto JC and CSU, Stanislaus.

While studying at MJC, in 1951, Myrt took a summer job at the campus library that would lead to her forty-five year career as a Librarian. “At 19, I thought I could do everything… but a choice of pitting peaches at a cannery or being surrounded by books made the decision easy. I’d work the summer at the library and then go back to college to be a famous journalist.” After MJC, she worked at the Turlock Library, the Humboldt County Library, the SFSU library, the Boalt Hall Law Library at UC Berkeley, and the Ceres High School Library, where she was instrumental in planning the move from the old building to the new library. Myrt believed to properly catalog non-fiction, she had to first read the book. Her exceptional appreciation, command and retention for information made her a dynamo behind a reference desk and an admirable Jeopardy couch-contestant.

Myrt went on to clerk for Stanislaus County at the Keyes Branch and was promoted to the Children’s Room in the McHenry Library. She loved the Story Hour that she hosted there and became a lifelong advocate for children’s literacy, gifting thousands of storybooks to children she encountered in her life. After receiving her MLS from UC Berkeley in 1973, she continued to work as a Stanislaus County Librarian for more than a decade. In addition to Children’s and Young Adult’s fiction, Myrt managed Senior Outreach and Bookmobile services and worked as a Program and Public Relations Librarian.

Myrt had a soft spot for folks who needed community and she often provided her home as a refuge for those who needed a warm meal, safe haven, laughter or connection, and she maintained lifelong friendships with those who encountered her generosity.

In 1985, Myrt accepted the City Librarian position in San Luis Obispo. By the time she retired in 1996, Myrt was the Assistant County Library Director of the San Luis Obispo City & County Library system, where she oversaw branches’ operations, helped to set up the Black Gold three-county computer system and participated in the design of four new libraries, including the main county library on Palm Street in San Luis Obispo.

Along the way, Myrt married and had two children, Nikole (LeRoy) and David (Mary). She raised them near their grandparents and beloved Uncle George in Turlock. She was a proud Grammie to Madilyn Crossland, Alex Crossland and McAllister Cordon, moving miles to be near them in their youths. She loved watching them perform, whether on stage or at her coffee table, and cheered on their successes at every turn.

Myrt brought her tenacious spirit and wit to many writing groups and was a dedicated editor and enthusiastic author. She loved a good afternoon of crafting or playing Scrabble, taking a road trip or exploring the WorldWideWeb. A big fan of the beach and a card-carrying tree-hugger, Myrt was also a loving aunt, devoted sister, cherished mentor, and compassionate patron to many people and causes. She shared her hearth with numerous treasured pets and lots of original art. She lived a long, rich, remarkable life and will be remembered by countless friends and loved ones as a unique light that brightened their circle. Her ashes will be scattered into the Pacific Ocean near Pacific Grove, CA., a favorite seashore destination of hers.

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