Karolyn Meyer Cleveland

1911 - 2008
Karolyn Elizabeth Meyer was born in Marion, IN on March 23rd 1911, the daughter of Herbert and Elizabeth Meyer both members of prominent families of the German-American community in Richmond, IN. She died at Wake Med in Cary, NC on October 25th 2008 at the age of 97.
After graduating from Marion High School, she worked and studied at the Kellogg Institute in Battle Creek, MI. On June 5th, 1932, Karolyn married her childhood sweetheart Wayne Preston Cleveland. After early-married life in Indiana, and the birth of two sons, they moved to Atlanta, GA. Karolyn was active in the PTA's for both boys. With six or eight other mothers, concerned about what activities their children might get up to when the Atlanta Public School system abolished fraternities and sororities, they started their own club to plan activities for their children. They were known as the Mother Geese, and they continued to meet and socialize years after their children were well established in their various post-college careers. Both Karolyn and Wayne were active members of Peachtree Christian Church. Wayne's job took them to Kensington, CT and back to Atlanta before they moved to New York City. Karolyn capably learned her way around the City to be able to give visitors a unique view of New York. While there, they hosted their four grandchildren and four nieces and nephews for their 10th birthdays, and a fine time was had by all. They kept a cabin cruiser on the East River within walking distance of their apartment and delighted in taking visitors for cruises that included water-borne delivery to the New York World's Fair. They were active members of the Park Avenue Christian Church where Wayne was an elder. They both actively helped plan for a new parsonage, office, classrooms and theater for a very active off-Broadway theater group - the 1010 Players. There they stayed for many years after which Wayne retired from his job as Vice President for Sales at the Keyes Fiber Company. In 1973 they moved to Pine Knoll Shores on the North Carolina Outer Banks. Amongst their accomplishments, Wayne was chairman of the committee that bought the Pine Knoll Shores Golf Course at a bankruptcy sale on the Court House steps in Beaufort and organized what was to become the Bogue Banks Country Club, before it became the Country Club of the Crystal Coast. Interested in local politics Wayne served as a member of the town council and was later elected Mayor. Karolyn had a passion for antiques and genealogy. She also devoted herself to the Carteret County Literacy Project while living on the coast.
She was an incredible cook displaying a broad repertoire of recipes collected from her many years of entertaining. She possessed a keen intelligence fueled by a natural curiosity supported by a memory that enabled her to recall names, places dates with an accuracy that was inspiring and frustrating. A quick wit with a soft laugh and a humble nature made her a delightful companion around the house, for a round of golf or a conversation while fishing from a pier.
Her beloved husband of 53 years, died in 1983. Their years at the Outer Banks were probably the happiest of their married life. Karolyn stayed at the Outer Banks for another 10 years, much to the grandchildren's delight. They were active members of the Morehead City First Presbyterian Church. In 1993 she moved to Cary to be close to her son Bob and Mary Jane, moving into Glenaire as one of the original residents, and did not look back. Her activities there were nearly too numerous to mention but some of the highlights were: she was in the Glenaire choral group, was secretary to the Building and Grounds Committee, a stalwart of the Third floor residents, leading light of the Busy Fingers sewing group and played a mean Cribbage game.
The church was always a big part of Karolyn's life, from the First Christian Church in Marion, IN, where she and Wayne were married, to Peachtree Christian Church in Atlanta, Park Avenue Christian Church in New York, the First Presbyterian Church in Morehead City and finally, Cary Presbyterian Church.
She will be sorely missed by all her friends and family, especially her sons, Bob and PD and their wives, Mary Jane and Dickie; by her grandchildren, Beth, Bo, Su and Lew and their wives and partners, Liz, Kevin and Barb; by her great-grandchildren, Derrick, Emery, Ellice, Mitchell, Rachel, Wyatt and Addie; by her grandnieces and great grand nieces and nephews, Phyllis, Ron, Chuck, Tom, Larry, Pam, Kay, Arlene, Leana, Joe and Lupe.
Let us remember the words of our Lord: Come unto me all ye who labor and are heavy-laden and I will give you rest.
The family would like to thank the entire staff at Glenaire for the loving care she received while a resident there.
A Memorial and Celebration Service will be held 2:00 p.m. Wednesday at Glenaire in Cary.
The family request donations to NC Literacy Association in lieu of flowers.