In Loving Memory

Mary Jeanette "Jan" Meyer

Mary Jeanette "Jan" Meyer, age 80, passed away on December 8, 2021 at St. Joseph's Hospital in Chewelah, WA after a long-term decline in health due to esophageal complications.  Jan was born on July 21, 1941 in St. John's, Newfoundland the 9th of 10 children to Leo Thomas and Evelyn (Molloy) Fitzgerald of Blackmarsh Road.

Jan was raised in St. John's, Newfoundland, where she completed her education at the Convent Presentation School.  Due to her large family she left school early to work and help support their needs.  While working at Woolanski's Clothing shop, her friend dropped into the shop with her date and another 'yank' in tow. They asked her to double date that night and that was how she was  introduced to Ernest 'Ernie' M. Meyer, a young Navy man stationed at the Argentia U.S. Naval Base.  That evening led to the  exchange of vows 15 months later, on June 24, 1960.  They were wed at St. Teresa's Parish Catholic Church in St. John's. Together they moved to Brunswick, Maine where they began a family with the birth of their daughter, Donna.  They resided in many communities while following Ernie's twenty-four year Naval career.  While stationed in San Diego, Ernie deployed for 9 months and Jan stayed in Abilene, Texas with her sister. Jan welcomed their first son, Jeff, and waited 8 months before Ernie returned to meet his son and move the family back to San Diego. Subsequent stations included Memphis, TN, Whidbey Island, WA, and Alameda, CA where their second son, Scott was born.  Their last Naval relocation was again to Whidbey Island. They resided in Oak Harbor for the next 44 years. In 2017, Jan and Ernie returned to Ernie's home town of Chewelah, WA where they have enjoyed retirement and small-town life.

Jan's hobbies included bowling, bunko, ceramics, chrotcheting, knitting and time socializing at the NAS CPO Club on Whidbey Island. She was always well versed in local and global affairs as an avid reader of the newspaper and watcher of the television news. She spent many hours solving crossword puzzles and staying connected to family and friends on facebook. Jan's passions and priorities were raising her family and spending time fishing and camping with them. Jan and Ernie always had a fun rivalry going while fishing, with Jan often catching the largest fish. Jan's happiest place was sitting around the campfire with her family as they spent time outdoors at the Curlew, Bonaparte, and Rasar State Parks. Mornings always began with tea "the Newfie Way" with can-cow (evaporated milk) and sugar.

Jan was a member of the American Legion Post Auxiliary #54 in Chewelah, WA

She was preceded in death by her sisters, Mary Williams, Bernice Spurgeon, Patricia Fiore and Joan Welch; brothers Hugh, Buddy, Jerry and Edward Fitzgerald.

Jan is survived by her husband of 60 years, Ernest 'Ernie' Meyer of Chewelah, WA; children, Donna Meyer of Chewelah, WA, Jeff Meyer (Joan) of Anacortes, WA, Scott Meyer of Seattle, WA; grandchildren, Kimberly Meyer of Seattle, WA and Sean Meyer of Anacortes, WA; numerous nieces, nephews and a host of extended family and friends.

A gathering of family and friends in remembrance of Mrs. Mary Jeanette "Jan" Meyer will be held in the spring of 2022.  Memorial contributions may be given to the Chewelah Senior Center.  Please visit the online memorial and sign the guestbook at www.danekasfuneralchapel.com