Melva M. Shrum, 85, died May 16, 2006 at Evergreen Hospital Medical Center, Kirkland. She was born to William Edwin and Eliza “Elida” (Williams) Openshaw in Mill Creek, Utah on May 8, 1921.

Melva moved with her family, from Utah to Inglewood, Calif., and on to Washington State. Melva graduated from Snohomish High School. She attended business school and obtained her secretarial skills.

During World War II, Melva worked for the Boeing Aircraft Company. During that time, she met Carl “Tom” Shrum. Melva and Tom were married in Olympia on August 17, 1946. She and Tom moved to Portland, Ore. In 1951, Melva, Tom and their children moved to Oak Harbor. Melva began work for a title company in Oak Harbor and then was hired as a secretary and bookkeeper for the Lectrion Company. Oak Harbor was her home until the Fall of 2003, when her health began to fail and she moved to Mill Creek to be near her children.

Melva’s first love was her family. She was an avid reader of hardback books, enjoyed crossword puzzles and had a passion for animals.

Mrs. Shrum is survived by five children and their spouses: Richard and Linda Shrum of Great Falls, Mont.; Karen Favro of Maple Valley; Carl T. Shrum Jr. and JoAnne Dixon of Federal Way; Patricia “Patty” and David Moore of Kirkland; and Barry and Cindy Shrum of Vancouver, Wash. She also leaves one sister, Edna Moore of Eugene, Ore.; one brother, Burt Openshaw of Seattle; nine grandchildren, Richard Shrum of Lynnwood, Ronald Shrum of Arlington, Kevin and Staci Shrum, both of Bellingham, Bruce Ellis of Ferndale, Jamesa Maulden of Maple Valley, Craig Shrum of Winthrop and C.T. and Tiffany Shrum, both of Vancouver, Wash; and eight great-grandchildren, Payton and Bailey Shrum, both of Lynnwood, Rowan Shrum of Arlington, Kirisa Ellis of Ferndale, Lisa and Lauren Maulden, both of Maple Valley, and Cheyenna and Connor Shrum, both of Everett. Her husband Tom preceded her in death in 1990.

Celebration of Life services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, May 22, at Burley Funeral Chapel, Oak Harbor, with Linda Haddon as Celebrant. A reception will follow for family and friends at Burley Chapel. Private family inurnment will follow at Maple Leaf Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Washington State Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association. Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Burley Funeral Chapel, Oak Harbor.