Elizabeth Ann (Irwin) Meyer

Elizabeth Ann (Irwin) Meyer of Gahanna, Ohio, took her last breath in prayerful song June 26, 2024. She was surrounded by her loving family who held her in prayer of the rosary and the Divine Mercy Chaplet. As Andrea Bocelli sang “The Lord’s Prayer” Elizabeth found peace. She took her last breath on the final note of The Our Father prayer. It was a beautiful ending fit for the queen she was to all who loved her.

Elizabeth Ann “Liz” Irwin, was born on April 8, 1930, in the coal and oil village of Corning, Perry County, Ohio, to Joseph Irwin and Mary (Burns) Irwin. She was her parents’ fourth child joining Patrick (9), Joseph (8), and Mary (7). Sister, Nancy, would join the family five years later. Liz’s father worked for the Ohio Central Railroad that passed directly through the village. Upon his transfer with the railroad, the Irwin family moved to Columbus.

Liz was an active student with the Holy Family High School class of 1948. She participated in theater and music and was the treasurer of her class. Her senior year she played Princess Mary Ellen opposite “The Duke,” played by her friend Joe Laurence. She described it as being a small part without many lines, yet “showy.” In her words, “One would have thought I was the star of the show. I got the big kiss at the end.”

Liz’s nineteenth year was filled with fun, excitement, and adventure! She remained on stage, now as a member of the Rose Unit of the Entertainment and Instruction Service Division of the American Red Cross. With her volunteer unit, she traveled throughout Ohio to provide entertainment and refreshments to hospitalized military veterans. She was chosen as Miss Schultz Market and then named Queen of the West Side Board of Trade Jubilee. Mayor Jim Rhodes, future governor of the state of Ohio, bestowed her crown. With her earnings, she adventured to New York City with her best friend, Mary Francis. They toured the city and experienced club nightlife in “the city that never sleeps.” For a young woman who had never before traveled outside of Ohio, 1949 was a memorable year.

Liz met her husband, Bill Meyer, at a church function in the basement of Holy Family Catholic Church. Bill was there in his role as the religious youth group chairman. Though both grew up attending Holy Family, they somehow did not meet until that night. Liz played “Because” in the keys of F and B flat on the piano that evening just before she left. Bill was smitten. The next day, while Liz was working at the bank, Bill appeared with tickets to sell. He gave her some tickets and courageously asked her for a date to the Valley Dale. On October 18, 1952, they were wed at the church where they met. Together, they had six children; Mary Catherine (Bell), Deacon Joseph Charles, Ann Elizabeth (Bickel), William Howard III, Theresa Alma (Eilerman), and Patricia Sue (Brohard). These six children provided 26 grandchildren, 37 great-grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild.

In the words of Louis Armstrong, “Music is life itself.” In the eighth grade, music entered Liz’s life in the form of a secondhand, black Kimball piano. It was offered by a family friend. They needed only to pay the $10 cost of delivery; a lot of money at that time. Liz and sister Nancy took lessons for 50 cents a lesson from Sister Mary Alberta. According to Liz, “It took work.” She was so devoted that she took her study periods to practice in the school auditorium. She persevered, enjoyed the reprieve from washing dinner dishes that practice granted, and became a talented pianist by the time she graduated high school. At the age of 17, she was able to play twelve pages of Claude Debussy’s “Claire de Lune” on stage with no sheet music. At another recital, Liz performed a piano duet playing Ernesto Lecuona’s “Malagueña.” Among the classics she especially enjoyed playing were Frederic Chopin’s “Polonaise in G minor” and Franz Liszt’s "Liebestraum No. 3 As-dur.” Formal lessons were discontinued after graduation, and she regretted losing interest when she started dating and not “sticking with it.” She married, and the piano was sold. Not owning a piano when her children were young, she “kept up” by playing on her children’s piano. Eventually, the Ryans, friends of her aunt-in-law, Hester Meyer, had a piano available for her. She resumed her practice and became the first organist at St. Elizabeth Catholic Church. As she reports, she “was terrible at first and only played the early Mass.” She marveled that she was “able to face the public and do that.” Until her devastating stroke at the age of 93, Liz continued to play every day and was working toward perfecting a particular piece, “All I Ask of You,” from Phantom of the Opera, written in 5 flats. “That’s a lot of black keys.” Music remained an expression of Liz’s soul until her final breath.

Liz worked to care and provide for her family throughout her life. As a child, she tended to her younger sister, Nancy. Upon high school graduation, she worked as a teller at Ohio National Bank. Her first child, Mary Catherine, was born ten months after marriage. Liz was able to stay at home to care for Mary and the five children who came along after until her youngest, Patty, reached elementary school. She first returned to the outside workforce as a part-time clerk in the Better Dresses department at Lazarus. Being fashion conscious, Liz was well suited for the job. She enjoyed meeting people and earning what she referred to as “mad money.” The store discount allowed her the opportunity to clothe her children and herself in style. It also gave her money to spend at her discretion, though these funds always supported her family with music lessons, vacation money, holiday presents, etc. Liz moved on from Lazarus to take a position as a licensed insurance agent for JCPenney Insurance. Though Liz possessed an uncanny memory for names, numbers, dates, and details, the required examinations in this professional role were difficult. Despite initially having so much to learn and immersing herself in study nearly every night, she did not miss a beat in her role as a mother and caretaker of the house. Similar to her devotion to mastery of the piano, she arose to the challenge, passing every exam with exemplary scores. In doing so, she inspired her children to believe that with perseverance and diligence, one can do anything they set his or her mind to.

A love language is a way of expressing or receiving love. One way Liz Meyer expressed love was by baking. When she took the time to bake or cook a meal for someone, she showed loving care through sustaining and healing nourishment.

Liz Meyer loved people and accepted everyone. In her retirement years she became a greeter for Westerville Athletic Club. She was well suited for the role. She had an amazing ability to remember every member’s name and took special interest in each person’s life. Each member was greeted as if they were the most important person who walked in.  They loved seeing Liz. She was the face of the club. 

In 2001 the Meyer home in Devonshire was sold. Liz and Bill moved to the Collingwood Point condominium community in Gahanna. They made new friends at The Church of The Resurrection where they attended daily Mass and became known to both young and old.  They joined the Gahanna YMCA where they faithfully exercised every afternoon.  They made many friends at the YMCA and were even featured on a television commercial because they were beloved, inspiring members.  

The COVID 19 shelter in place order changed life for Liz and Bill. The YMCA closed, but their dedication to fitness remained. They began taking twice daily walks in their community. The walks were both a physical and social outlet and their circle of friends expanded exponentially. They became fixtures in their community and inspired neighbors to walk and socialize as well.

On the morning of February 3, 2024, Liz experienced a devastating stroke that left her left side paralyzed. Her love for others was never more apparent than in those final months. Despite being paralyzed and communication limited, she remembered every visitor’s name, expressed concern for friends experiencing health challenges, and continued to devote prayer to those in need. In those long, dark days she reminded us to “accept people as they are. Do not try to change them.” She explained that the reason for this final trial in her life was because “God is showing us some very special people.” Those words consistently rang true and for that her family will be forever grateful for one another and to the staffs of both Mount Carmel Hospice and Sunrise of Gahanna Senior Living who became an extension of the Meyer family. In return, Liz showed each of her caretakers the special person that she was through her expressions of gratitude and love.

Friends may call 9:30-11:00 a.m. Wednesday, July 3, at St. Matthew the Apostle Church where the Mass of Christian Burial will be held 11:00 a.m. Burial to follow at 9:00 a.m. on Friday, July 5, at St. Joseph Cemetery, 6440 S High St, Lockbourne, OH. Escorts at the cemetery will guide family and friends to the gravesite. In lieu of flowers friends who wish may contribute to Seeds of Caring at seedsofcaring.org/donate-now. Imagining a brighter future with more kindness, more empathy, and more inclusiveness, Seeds of Caring believes our children have the power to change our world. Elizabeth Meyer often reflected on how much she loved taking care of her children and demonstrated kindness, empathy, and a spirit of inclusion throughout her life. Seeds of Caring endeavors to raise a generation of children to be the change-makers and bridge-builders our world needs and thus, to carry on the embodiment of Liz Meyer’s own life mission.

“In the twilight of life, God will not judge us on our earthly possessions and human successes, but on how well we have loved” (Saint John de la Cruz of the Cross). May we always remember and strive to emulate Elizabeth Meyer’s example of love, acceptance, and devotion to her family and faith.

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