Jean Ann Mezera

11/22/1938 – 03/01/2020

Where do you start? Like most, mom lived and loved life—and oh yes, Diet Coke. She was a great mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. But, she was so much more than just a byline in someone’s genealogy. She cared. More individuals than we will ever know were impacted by her caring – as a nurse, as a counselor, as a spiritual mentor – mom worked with others to help them find their better selves. Understanding every person is fallible, including herself, she focused on the power of imperfection and letting that serve as the foundation to build on. May her selfless love and care live on in the lives of all who knew her, and may they pass it on to their loved ones.

Eleven years ago, our dad, John (“Jack”) Leslie Mezera, passed away in Franklin, NC. He left us too soon. Our mom remained on their farm for several more years before moving to Nashville, TN in 2013 to live with her daughter and daughter-in-law. Though already diagnosed with kidney failure and congestive heart failure, she embarked on a new, fulfilling chapter in her life. She joined Christ the King Church and became one of the amazing “knitting ladies” of the church. As a devout Christian, mom lived her life as Christ commanded – Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, soul, and mind, and thou shalt love they neighbor as thyself. With these two commands forever present in her, she welcomed all who entered her life – no matter their race or religion. She loved all, recalling always that “in everything, do unto others what you would have them do unto you.” To us, that’s what love is all about, and she lived it.

Prior to joining us in Nashville, mom lived in quite a number of places. As a child, she lived in post-WWII Germany for a number of years as her father, who was an officer and civil engineer in the U.S. Navy, was based there to help rebuild Europe. As a young nurse, she settled in Los Angeles, having gone to nursing school in Santa Barbara, CA where she lived with Matiana Valencia, who later would become her sister-in-law. While in LA, mom met dad at a party. He was a Navy corpsman stationed there at the time. They were married in LA where their eldest child, Lad Patrick, was born. They moved to Phoenix, AZ where dad’s parents and older sister Mary Margaret (Midge) Lienenwever lived. While there, dad got his degree in English and started a teaching career, and they welcomed their second child, Danielle Rebecca. They subsequently moved to Denver, CO where their third child, Paul Landon, was born, and then after a few years, they moved back to Phoenix where their fourth child, Lawrence Martin, was born.

Never one to settle down for too long, mom and dad always sought new adventures in homelife and careers. Following Phoenix, the family lived in Prescott AZ, San Diego, and Orlando. Eventually, mom and dad settled in Franklin, NC. They also changed careers, going from education and health care to alcohol and drug counseling and therapy. Mom thrived in this field, noting that it was the most rewarding time in her life. Over the course of her life, mom was able to visit all 50 states and over a dozen countries and painted every step along the way. Our homes are graced with her works.

Obituaries are always hard to write. Why? Because it’s impossible to encapsulate one’s life in 800 words or less. So, please know that our mom, Jean, lived a very full life, and please also know that she kept it real.

For our genealogists out there, we want to now share a little about her family. And for our future generations, take note. Do not sit on the sidelines; pursue your dreams and make them real. Mom would not have wanted anything less.

Mom was born in 1938 in St. Louis, Missouri. The youngest of three children to John Patrick Grogan and Anna (“George Ann”) (nee Damm) Grogan. She is preceded in death by her husband, John Leslie Mezera, her parents, and her brother Thomas Patrick (“Pat”) Grogan and his wife, Matiana. She is also preceded by Lad Raymond Mezera and Ella Ermina (“Peg”) (nee McSchooler) Mezera - her father-in law and mother-in-law.

She is survived by her children, Lad Patrick (CA), Danielle Rebecca and her wife Cindy (TN), Paul Landon and his wife Tammy (TN), Lawrence Martin (FL), Ping Fang and his wife Mandi (UT), and her daughters-in-law Lynette and Toni Ann; 18 grandchildren, Rebekah McCall, Kaitlyn Mezera, Katrina Mezera, Meaghan Salant, Jack Mezera, Josiah Mezera, Joseph Mezera, Daniel Mezera, Anna Mezera, Isaac Mezera, Abraham Mezera, Victoria Mezera, Carolann Mezera, Olivia Mezera, Henry Mezera, Mia Fang, Jenna Fang, and step-granddaughter Devin Beard; 8 great-grandchildren, Isaiah McCall, Daniel McCall, Evelyn Salant, Gabrielle Mezera, Avery Beard, Adelheid Salant, Emmanuelle McCall, Hezekiah Salant, and several nieces and nephews. She is also survived by her brother Robert (“Bob”) Grogan and his wife Betty.

The family wishes to thank the amazing Alive Hospice team who cared for her, particularly Pennie, Valerie, Rose, Terry, and Christopher. We also want to thank Dr. Cecelia Theobald for walking mom’s life journey with her. You are truly exceptional in your field.

Mom’s celebration of life will be at Christ the King Church, 3001 Belmont Blvd, Nashville, TN. And as promised to mom, following the celebration, we will be holding an Irish Wake in her honor for family and friends.

So, to all, we ask that you raise a glass! And to all, “may the road rise up to meet you; may the wind always be at your back. May the sun always shine warm upon your face, and may rain fall soft upon your fields. And until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of His hand.”