Obituary

Marguerite Meyer, obituary

Tue, 04/07/2015 - 2:00pm

ROCKLAND — Marguerite R. Meyer, 91, died April 2, 2015, at Pen Bay Medical Center in Rockport.

Marguerite, fondly known as Midge, was born in Danielson, Conn., the daughter of the Rev. Leonard and Olive Richards, on Feb. 24, 1924, in the rectory of St. Alban's Episcopal Church, where her father was rector. Rev. Richards was later called to Christ Church in Pomfret, Conn., where Midge grew up. She attended the Rectory School in Pomfret, followed by college at the University of Connecticut in Storrs, graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in dietetics. While at UCONN, she met her future husband, John L. Meyer II, at a USO-sponsored dance where she was a volunteer. At the time of their marriage in June of 1949, Midge was working as a hospital dietitian in Albany, N.Y.

While John and Marguerite moved frequently early in their marriage (including time in Washington, D.C., Oklahoma, Staten Island, N.Y., Chicago, and West Harford, Conn.), they eventually settled in northeastern Connecticut, where they together raised six children. During her time in Connecticut, Midge was an active volunteer with the Red Cross, the Day Kimball Hospital (Putnam, Conn.) Auxiliary as well as Meals on Wheels, taking care to deliver social company along with the meals. She was active in the Altar Guild at Christ Church in Pomfret, Conn., as well as singing in both the church's choir and the Community Chorus of NE Connecticut. While raising six children was a major focus of her Connecticut years, she did work for several years as a dietitian in a local nursing home.

Midge and John retired to the Midcoast area of Maine in 1990, first living on Rackcliff Island, and subsequently moving to Rockland in 2006. In retirement, Marguerite volunteered at Pen Bay Medical Center and was a devoted member of St. John's Episcopal Church in Thomaston. She was a long-time volunteer at Pen Bay Medical Center, served at local food pantries and regularly brought donated supplies to the Humane Society of Knox County. She was a loyal and thoughtful friend to many people in the community.

Whether volunteering or professionally, Midge's generous spirit always led her to activities that focused on outreach and caring for others, especially the elderly and disabled. Midge also loved sports, focusing on golf in her later adult years and garnering her club championship and a coveted hole-in-one during her peak years. In addition, she was an enthusiastic gardener, particularly of her beloved flowers. She was a life-long UCONN women's basketball fan and loved traveling, including trips to Wales, the birthplace of her parents, and a coast-to-coast, cross-country trek by car, which started in Alaska.

She is survived by her husband, Dr. John L. Meyer II; and by her children, Anne Deysher (husband Robert) of Westboro, Mass., John Meyer III of San Diego, Calif., Dilys Burke (husband William Martin) of Verona, N.J., Douglas Meyer (wife Karen) of Dunellen, N.J., Robert Meyer (wife Denise) of Charlottesville, Va., and Thomas Meyer (wife Jennifer) of Mantua, Ohio. Midge and John have 11 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her brothers, Ivor, George and Douglas Richards.

In celebration of her life, a memorial service will be held Saturday, April 25 at 3 p.m. at St. John The Baptist Episcopal Church on Main Street in Thomaston.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be sent in Marguerite's memory to the Good Shepherd Food Bank, 3121 Hotel Rd, Box 1807, Auburn, ME 04211, and/or the Pope Memorial Humane Society of Knox County, P.O. Box 1294, Rockland, ME 04841.

Arrangements are in the care of Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home.