PORTLAND, ME – Lucille G. Meyer, loving wife and mother, passed away on January 19, 2019. Lucille was born in Quincy, Massachusetts, on November 5th, 1919 to Ruth and Clarence Pitkin. She was the younger of two children. In 1921 her family moved to Randolph, Vermont where she and her brother, Everett, grew up roaming the beautiful Green Mountains and helping out on the family farm. In 1938 Lucille graduated from Randolph High School and moved to Quincy, MA to live with her mother who had returned there after dissolving her marriage with Clarence. While living in Quincy, Lucy entered Boston’s Burdett College to study business. She graduated in 1941 and was hired as a stenographic secretary at the Vose-Swain Engraving Company of Boston. Lucy met her future husband, Gilbert A. Meyer while living in Quincy. She and Gil were married on November 9th, 1944 before Gil was shipped overseas to fight in World War II. When Gilbert returned from duty, Lucy left Vose-Swain to start a family eventually having four children: Linda R. Meyer, Ph.D., now a retired professor, Grace A. Meyer, a graphic artist who is also employed by Hannaford Bothers supermarkets, and John A. Meyer, an auto-body repair specialist. Their other son, Alan F. Meyer, had severe disabilities and survived until the age of 15 due to the loving care of his parents. Gilbert, who shared 68 years of marriage with Lucille, died at the age of 93, in 2012.
The family lived in various places on the Massachusetts South Shore finally settling in Braintree. Gilbert supported his family by working in the food delivery business while Lucille raised their children and served as a volunteer in a variety of organizations. She taught Sunday school, was a Girl Scout troop leader, served on a variety of church committees, and diligently worked to establish the South Shore Parents Association for the Advancement of Retarded Children. While serving the South Shore Association, she wrote The Mother’s Creed, which at a time before parent support groups, provided many parents of special needs children with wise, common sense advise to help them deal with the challenges such children can bring. The Mother’s Creed, which was simply signed “a loving mother”, was eventually printed in over a dozen languages.
In 1965 Lucille returned to the workforce to earn money to send her children to college. She held positions in several companies as an executive secretary before becoming an account manager for a large senior citizen’s apartment complex sponsored by the Union Congregational Church of Weymouth and Braintree, MA. For recreation Lucy enjoyed fishing, bowling, family camping, reading, and making wine. She was also a talented artist who enjoyed making ceramics and doing reverse painting on glass.
Lucille and Gilbert both retired in 1980. A year later they followed their dream of living a rural life by moving to E. Orange, Vermont where they bought an old farmhouse. For the next 25 years of “retirement” they enjoyed their country life with Gilbert growing their food and Lucille pickling, freezing, and cooking the produce. During this time Lucille and Gilbert made many friends and were active in both their church and community. Lucille continued her life of service by participating on the board of the Triangle Home Dem Club and by taking part in the Friendly Neighbors Club, and the Women’s Auxiliary for the Tri Village Fire Department. During this time Lucille also enjoyed reading, playing with her beloved pets, baking for community events, fishing for trout, and exploring back-country roads and “old car” shows with her husband and their friends. She and Gilbert felt that these retirement years were the happiest of their lives. In August 2005, due to Gilbert’s health problems and a desire to be closer to their children, Lucy and Gil moved to Deering Pavilion in Portland, ME where they made new friends and enjoyed exploring Southern Maine. Lucille maintained the apartment until 2015 when she moved to South Portland Nursing Home due to declining health.
Lucille loved to laugh and valued learning. She will be remembered for her quick smile, accepting attitude, generosity, and strength of character which enabled her to prevail when facing adversity. Her body will be cremated and, on June 8th, Lucille’s and Gilbert’s ashes will be interred in the small cemetery in East Orange, VT which is across the road from the retirement home they so loved. Prior to burial an afternoon remembrance service will be held for Lucille at the East Corinth, VT Congregational Church to celebrate a long, well lived life that was devoted to family, service, and God. To share remembrances and condolences please visit www.jonesrichandbarnes.com and “click” on Lucille’s name. A photographic history that celebrates Lucille’s life can also be viewed on this site.
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