Mary Carey Meitzler

She joins her husband Ron Meitzler in heaven, as well as her mother and father, Helen & Charles Ahrens, her sister Julia Oswalt, and numerous other friends, family and pets.

She is survived by her daughters Elaine Meitzler, Katie Meitzler (Brian) and Michele Palermo (Tom); her granddaughter Sarah Palermo; her brothers Charles Ahrens (Mary Kay) and Patrick Ahrens (Marty); as well as beloved in-laws, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Mary grew up in Danville, IL where she attended Schlarman High School and graduated with the class of 1951. She also attended St. Mary’s private women’s Catholic college, which is the sister school to the University of Notre Dame. It was there that Mary discovered her life-long passion for Notre Dame “Fighting Irish” football.

In 1954, she was introduced to Ronnie Meitzler on a blind date. They married on November 3,1956 in Danville, IL at St. Patrick’s Church. Two weeks later, they decided to pursue their dreams and move from their hometown to sunny California. Bundled in their 1956 Ford Fairlane, they jumped on Route 66 and began an epic journey that led them to San Jose, CA.

Ron and Mary started a family in San Jose, where Ron pursued his career in the printing industry, and Mary briefly worked at the San Jose Mercury News. In 1969 they founded and built a successful family printing company called “Meitzler Printing”, where Mary took on the role of co-owner and opinionator-in-chief.

They were both proud to play a part in early Silicon Valley history by providing premier 2-color printing services for Apple Computer and countless other Silicon Valley companies such as Intel, Hewlett-Packard and Lockheed.

Mary was an active mom in raising their three daughters (Elaine, Katie & Michele), who was always supportive of their activities; whether it was music lessons, school events and sports. She was an original soccer Mom, attending all of her daughter’s soccer games where she was affectionately known as “Toots”.

Upon her retirement in 2002, Mary became an avid walker, and was a neighborhood fixture as she put in 4-5 miles a day patrolling the streets. She was especially happy to meet furry friends on her walks, and knew many of them by name. Mary enjoyed crocheting children’s blankets for donation, traveling throughout the United States with Ron, and of course, football and baseball. Attending her granddaughter Sarah’s softball games was something she also enjoyed.

In addition to Notre Dame, she was a dedicated fan of the San Francisco 49ers, and proudly displayed an autographed photo of herself with Joe Montana and her sister Julia. In recent years, she became a San Francisco Giants fan and looked forward to watching baseball every day during baseball season.

Mary was a strong woman who wasn’t afraid to speak her mind and stand up for what she believed. She was the rock of her family, and will be greatly missed by her daughters, family and all who loved her.

On Earth, Mary will join her husband at the Santa Clara Mission Cemetery. In Heaven, she will be with Ron on their patio in the sky, he with a cold Budweiser and she with a glass of Franzia Chablis. Fly free Mary, you are now an angel, forever free from suffering and pain.

The family will hold private services in honor of Mary's life.