Wyona Merlene Dryden

Wyona  Merlene Dryden, last surviving child of Charles and Margaret Lux, died at her home at Rockwood on Hawthorne, on August 19, 2019.  She is survived by her children Sandra(James) Reandeau, Ronald(Pam) Dryden, Marti Thompsen, and Delno(Char)Dryden, 11 grandchildren, numerous great grandchildren, and one great great granddaughter.  Wyona was born December 8, 1927 in Thompson Falls, Montana.  After the family moved to Spokane, Washington she met and married in February, 1945, her husband of 60 years, Donald R. Dryden.  Wyona was baptized as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses in 1969 and was currently a member of the Mead congregation.  Wyona will always be remembered for her open and outgoing personality.  Her husband Don was heard to say to his children, “one of the things that made me love your mother so much was her knack for breaking the ice at a “stiff” get together, by poking fun at herself”.  He went on to say, “new acquaintences would be struggling to make conversation, then your mom would make “an off the wall comment” and next thing you know everyone would be laughing and talking as if they were life long friends.”  As a young girl in High School Wyona was a singer.  She sang with the school’s  Dance Band, and every Sunday she made a circuit of four different churches to sing.  Her music teacher wanted her to go to New York and train to sing opera but her mother did not approve so Wyona’s  life took a different turn.  Wyona loved people.  She always made the people she met feel like they were, not just a friend, but someone really important to her.   While raising her family, Wyona helped out by holding jobs in the community.  She worked as a grocery checker at Rosauer’s stores, Albertson’s, and IGA stores.  She also worked as a receptionist and bookkeeper at Brown and Sam’s TV on Trent Ave.  And at the Mica Store she was a temporary postal worker.  Later in life one of her greatest joys was interacting with her grandchildren, sharing their joys and confidences.  In fact, she became a universal Grandma, helping youngsters in distress whenever she found them.  Wyona was also a spiritual person.  She had long conversations with her God asking for help and guidance  Finally she began studying the bible and in 1969 she was baptized as one of Jehovah’s  Witnesses.  She served Jehovah God faithfully till her death  and firmly believed in the  hope of resurrection  by Jesus Christ.

A memorial service will be held at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses at 2:30 p.m., Saturday, September 21, 2019 at 6509 N. Crestline, Spokane, WA 99217.   A full obituary and online condolences is available at www.hennesseyfuneral homes.com

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