Miriam Ward Harrelson, 80, of Durango, Colo., died August 25, 2010.
Miriam was born and raised in Arkansas, the daughter of Edna and Otto Ward, the sister of six. In 1950, she married her husband of 45 years, Andrew E. Harrelson. Together, they lived and raised their family in, or near, Little Rock, then Dallas, then Austin.
She worked in various offices through the years but more important to her was her family. Miriam was a tireless worker at home and in every community she lived — volunteering, gardening, hiking, cooking, caring for her family, and encouraging others to do the same.
As a volunteer through the Dallas Public Library literacy program she gave the gift of reading. After retirement near Austin, Miriam worked in the local library and her church resale shop. Over the years, she cared for countless babies, hers, and then those born too soon, as a neonatal volunteer at Seton Medical Center in Austin. As a supporter of Lakeway Friends of the Parks, she helped create and maintain trails alongside her husband Andy. Both were animal lovers, avid cyclists and tennis players.
Miriam is survived by her daughter Melissa Salafia and her three children, Chase, Connor and Andrea of Durango, Colo.; and her son Chris Harrelson, his wife Jan and their two children, Gray and Elizabeth of San Rafael, Calif.
Services will be private. No flowers please. Those wishing to make a contribution in Miriam’s name are encouraged to support the Durango Discovery Museum at the Powerhouse, 1333 Camino Del Rio, Durango, CO 81301.