Glenna L. Meade

June 25, 1920-May 24, 2011

Glenna Lorraine Meade was born on June 25, 1920, the second of three sisters, to George and Lizzie Van Meter in Thayer, Kansas. In 1924 she and her family moved when her father traded 80 acres of farmland in Thayer for 10 acres of fruit orchards in Zillah, WA. In 1940 Glenna married Frank H. Meade and they moved to the Fremont area of Seattle, WA. In 1948 she and Frank moved with their children to West Seattle where she lived until 2001. At that time she chose to sell her home and move to The Kenney, a retirement center in West Seattle where she lived until her death May 24, 2011.

Glenna was preceded in death by her parents, husband (Frank), and older sister (Lois Hill). She is survived by her younger sister (Erma Berkley); her children Loretta Esko (Shoreline) and Gordon Meade (West Richland), four grandchildren (Kevin Esko, Cynthia Esko-Chloupek, Kelly Meade and Jeffrey Meade), four great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Glenna was Valedictorian of her high school class in Zillah, WA. After high school she worked as a cashier and department clerk at J.C. Penney. After she moved to Seattle, she taught piano lessons in her home. Her favorite pastime was painting pictures in oils and water colors. She won several awards in art contests. She was a member of the First Christian Church in Seattle for many years – she and Frank were active in the Madrona group where she made many of her closest friends. She later transferred to Highline Christian Church in Burien. For many years she was active with Federated Women’s Club in Seattle which annually sponsored a music competition and awarded scholarships.

Glenna was very family oriented – she spent several years gathering materials and information to create Genealogies for her children and grand-children. Visiting family, going to family celebrations, and traveling to Kansas to see relatives were times she especially enjoyed. She was respected by everyone that knew her. She maintained her pleasant demeanor until her death. She was much loved and will be missed.

A private burial with immediate family members present was held June 1, 2011 at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Seattle, WA.

We found the following poem in Glenna’s papers and felt it represented her spirit:

To Those I love…and Those Who Love Me

When I am gone, release me, let me go ---

I have so many things to see and do.

You musn’t tie yourself to me with tears.

Be happy that we had so many years.

I gave you my love. You can only guess

How much you gave to me in happiness.

I thank you for the love you each have shown.

But now it’s time I traveled on alone.

So grieve a while for me if grieve you must.

Then let your grief be comforted by trust.

It’s only for a while that we must part.

So bless the memories within your heart.

I won’t be far away, for life goes on.

So if you need me, call and I will come.

Though you can’t see or touch me, I’ll be near

And if you listen with your heart, you’ll hear

All of my love around you soft and clear.

And then, when you must come this way alone,

I’ll greet you with a smile, and “Welcome Home.”