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HELEN MEURER Obituary
HELEN DONNAN WEISNER
Nov 4, 1936 -
Feb 16, 2014
Helen was born in Gray Court, South Carolina as the eldest child to Ned and Janie Weisner. Her father was a welder and the family traveled as his occupation required, staying in Gray Court, SC when he traveled overseas. As a younger girl, she enjoyed dancing. The family eventually settled in Lancaster, SC. While in elementary school, she wanted to be a journalist. She was active in the 4-H club, winning the State 4-H award for an entomology project while in high school. Upon graduation, she decided to follow her mother into a nursing career by attending the distinguished program at John's Hopkins, where she earned her diploma degree as a Registered Nurse. She really enjoyed being a nurse in the Operating Room. While at Hopkins, she met a Naval Academy Midshipman, Philip Meurer, who she fell in love with and married. After being married, they had two children, David and Debbie, and she enjoyed being a stay at home Mom with her children.
Philip was commissioned in the Air Force, and together they traveled across the United States and the world, including the Philippines on two occasions. While stationed in the Philippines with her family, Helen volunteered as an OR nurse, helping to treat wounded servicemen, and later worked with "Operation Baby-Lift", caring for children leaving Vietnam for the US. She won an award from the American Red Cross in recognition of her service. Eventually they settled in San Antonio, Texas, where she was able to continue working as a Public Health Nurse and she continued her life of serving others. She and her husband retired in San Antonio, Texas, where they enjoyed living for years, making many friends. When her health declined in her later years, she and her husband moved to Gainesville, Florida to stay with family.
She enjoyed traveling with her husband in an RV, especially to the National Parks and similar areas in the Northwestern US, such as Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, and even into Canada. Her hobbies included sewing, where she became renowned for making Raggedy Ann and Andy Dolls. She fell in love with quilting and lovingly created many keepsake quilts for family members. She and her quilt club made quilts for newborn babies with birth complications to help keep them warm.
After a full life, she passed away in her sleep on February 16, 2014. She is survived by her husband Philip Meurer; son David Meurer (Sherry); daughter Debbie Meurer Colpitts (Richard); sister Edna Earle Faust (Clint); and grandchildren Joshua Meurer, Sarah Meurer, Linda Diane Colpitts and Kayli Nicole Colpitts. She was well loved by her devoted husband, and all her family, and will be missed by all whose lives she touched.
". . . for I want to go wherever you go and to live wherever you live: your people shall be my people, and your God shall be my God." Ruth 1:16
A celebration of her life will be held Saturday, February 22, 2014 at 10:30 a.m., in the Heritage Room of WILLIAMS-THOMAS FUNERAL HOME DOWNTOWN, 404 North Main Street, with Fr. Rich Clark of St. Michael's Episcopal Church officiating. Another celebration will be held in San Antonio, at a time and location to be announced. Please visit her memorial page at
www.williamsthomas
funeralhome.com
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
WILLIAMS-THOMAS
DOWNTOWN
(352) 376-7556
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Vic Fredda
February 14, 2022
Phil, just doesn't seem like 8 years since Helen passed. We are out of our house for a week or so getting repairs done from a water leak. You're always in our prayers.
Vic
Jack Giddens
February 26, 2014
My deep and sincere sympathy to you, Phil, and your family. God bless you all with comfort and grace.
Barbara Semmelmann
February 25, 2014
My dearest friend will be missed each time I recall the Precious Angel she made
me. It hung over my Mom's bed in the
Nursing Home for the last four years of
her life.
Peggy Fredericksen
February 22, 2014
Helen was my friend and classmate at Johns Hopkins. She was always full of laughter and playfulness. She was thoughtful and kind to everyone.
I was dating a midshipman which gave me the opportunity to introduce Helen to a very eligible mid. He was smitten with this pretty girl and this began a long and loving life together.
Helen will always be remembered by the people who knew her and were touched by her. Each of you are one of them, and will always remember her as the wonderful, caring person she was.
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February 22, 2014
I shall always remember HELEN AS THE PRETTY STUDENT NURSE FROM JOHNS Hopkins WITH THE WONDERFUL PERSONALITY AND BIG SMILE AS SHE EXITED THE BUS AT THE Annapolis BUS STATION LOOKING OF COURSE FOR PHIL. HER SMILE WAS EXCEEDED ONLY BY PHIL'S AS HE SAW HER GETTING OFF THE BUS. THESE WERE THE DAYS WHEN WE ENDURED THE WEEK LONG SEPARATION FROM OUR SWEETHEARTS AND ANXIOUSLY WAITED FOR SATURDAYS WHEN ONCE AGAIN WE COULD ENJOY THEIR COMPANY. I KNOW THAT TODAY SHE LOOKS AS SHE DID THEN, HEALTHY AND HAPPY, AND STILL LOOKING AFTER PHIL FROM HEAVEN WITH THAT SAME SMILING FACE.
PEGGY AND HELEN WERE IN NURSING SCHOOL TOGETHER AND LIVING AT HAMPTON HOUSE, THE NURSE'S RESIDENCE ACROSS THE STREET FROM THE HOSPITAL IN BALTIMORE. PHIL WAS TEMPORARILY WITHOUT A GIRL FRIEND, AND PEGGY BROUGHT HELEN TO THE ACADEMY AS A DATE FOR PHIL. IT MUST HAVE BEEN LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT. I BELIEVE FROM THAT FIRST DATE THEY BELONGED TO EACH OTHER.
FOR THE REST OF US WE WERE BLESSED TO HAVE KNOWN HER AND HAVING HER AS OUR FRIEND. FUN LOVING, ALWAYS READY TO BRIGHTEN YOUR SPIRIT WITH A WORD OF ENCOURAGEMENT OR A HAPPY SMILE.
I AM NOT SURPRISED THAT SHE RECEIVED SO MANY ACCOLADES FOR NURSING. SHE WAS THAT TYPE OF PERSON.
SHE WILL BE SADLY MISSED BY ALL WHO KNEW HER.
Jim Fredericksen
February 21, 2014
Dearest Helen, The years go by so fast and time flows like the wind until time here on earth is gone and God calls us home.
You are a wonderful Sister In Law to me and have meant so much to our family. We have precious memories which will never be forgotten. We praise God for those. Both you and Phil mean so much to all of our family. Thank you for allowing us to share your family. We love you.
Your work here on earth is finished, go rest in peace with God in a place that has been prepared for eternal rest and peace. May God Bless your soul.
With Love through Christ,
Clint
February 21, 2014
To My Dear Sister, Helen. Thank you for sharing a wonderful life with me.Yes many challenges were offered and came our way but we always overcame them with love. We enjoyed many years of happiness as a family and sisters. Even though you wouldn't allow me to eat crackers in our bed as teenagers, I still loved you so much. I have so many wonderful memories of our life together. I know of no one I would rather have had as a sister than you. I will always be grateful to God for you.
I will miss you here on earth but treasure the thoughts of seeing you again in God's home.
You will always be in my thoughts and heart.
I love you.
Edna Earle
Sally Booth-Brezina
February 20, 2014
Helen and I met at a quilt guild and continued our friendship through an additional quilting bee. We stayed friends after the bee broke up. While we have an age difference, we always had something to talk about and laugh about. When she moved to Florida we tried to kept up through the phone. Her failing health made our conversations shorter. I will treasure her friendship and never forget the look in Phil's eyes when he walked through the room we were in. If only everyone could be loved as he love Helen.
Vic and Nancy Fredda
February 20, 2014
Phil, and family,
Nancy and I offer our most sincere condolences. We met and knew Helen from the USNA days; Phil and I (Vic) were in the same USNA company. Helen and Phil were visibly in love from the first time we saw her in Annapolis. What a fine and loving couple. I'm sorry we can't get to Gainesville for Helen's service but Nancy's having some medical problems and we need to stay close to home for a while. Vic and Nancy Fredda
Judy McElroy-Silas
February 20, 2014
Phil just wanted to let you and your family know that you are in my thoughts and Prayers, if I can do anything or if you need anything I am here.
My friend Helen
Nancy Jo Parr
February 20, 2014
I met Helen when we both started Nurses Training at Johns Hopkins. Our dorm rooms were in close proximity with another dear friend, Susan. We had such good times having our first pizza in "Little Italy", walking all over town to shop and eat, attending church, and just "hanging out". The three us began a close friendship that would continue through the years as we moved about in different parts of the country. Together, we were able to attend some of our JHH Alumni Reunions and once again stay up all hours laughing and talking. The last time I was fortunate in being able to spend time with Helen and Phil and Susan and Lee was when my husband, son and I attended the wedding of Susan's son in Winchester VA. Helen was beautiful as always.
I admire her accomplishments and her giving nature. When Susan was ill she was right there doing whatever she could to help. She was always warm and loving.
I treasure my memories of her, her beautiful red hair, her mischievous grin, her spontaneity and lust for life. She loved to shag-dance, and I can still hear her singing "A Foggy Day in Londontown" slightly off key! And how she would set her alarm to get up at 2 AM to study for the day's exam while the rest of us slept!
I remember well when she met her beloved Phil and the stars he put in her eyes. She actually lived with me for a short time after our graduation until he graduated from the Academy so that she could be near him.
I have always regretted that I was unable to accept an invitation to visit with them in San Antonio, and was happy to hear they had moved to Florida. Visiting with them was on my "Bucket List"! I did get to speak with her by phone a couple of times. Knowing she was still somewhere I could reach out to was important to me.
I loved her and I shall miss her.
My heart goes out to her family. Only time can ease their pain, and the memory of the wonderful times they shared.
Barbara J. Semmelmann
February 20, 2014
Helen has been the best neighbor of mine
since 1976. We enjoyed our trips in the
RV's, Planning fun things to make - thanks to Helen's Craft projects
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