Elizabeth W. Meanley

1921 - 2019

Elizabeth W. Meanley obituary, 1921-2019, Poway, CA

FUNERAL HOME

Glen Abbey Memorial Park

3838 Bonita Road

Bonita, California

Elizabeth Meanley Obituary

Elizabeth W. Betty' Meanley May 6, 1921 - May 29, 2019 Poway Elizabeth W. Meanley "Betty" passed away on May 29, 2019, in Encinitas, CA. A loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend. She was also a church member and business owner.Betty was born Elizabeth Marie Wilber on May 6, 1921, in Cleveland, Ohio, to Florence Cozette (Laney) Wilber and Joshua Augustus Wilber. She adored her older brother, Robert, and loved summers on Lake Erie and her three years as a student at The Andrews School in Willoughby, Ohio. After her father came to work at Consolidated Aircraft (Convair) in San Diego, the family joined him and settled in Bird Rock. Betty continued her education, attending La Jolla High School for her junior and senior years, and then San Diego State University.On the eve of World War II, Betty met and began dating Bill (William Armiger Meanley). Bill enlisted as an officer in the Merchant Marines. On August 16, 1942, during one of his leaves, they were married. After the war, and after Bill finished college, he and his parents started Meanley & Son Hardware (which celebrated its 70th year the month Betty died) in La Jolla, California. A few years thereafter, with four children in tow, the family moved to a ranch in Poway, California.Betty was a stay-at-home mom, serving her family and community in many roles, including that of den mother, president of the PTA, and clerk of her church. After Bill died in 1967, Betty became the general manager of Meanley & Son Hardware, secretary-treasurer of the corporation, and the first woman to serve on the Board of Directors of Great Western Hardware. Several years later, she married Bill's oldest brother, Tom (Thomas Meredith Meanley, Jr.), and lived part time in Rancho Bernardo, CA, Memphis, TN, and Kona, HI, while one son, and then the other, managed the hardware store.When not working, Betty enjoyed seeing the world and traveled to places like Bora Bora, Tahiti, Egypt, Syria, Jordan, Israel, Turkey, Panama, Mexico, Alaska, and Europe.Betty found joy in artistic outlets of all types, sewing and painting and creating photo albums of her family, to name a few. After Tom died, she took up quilting in earnest, finishing unfinished quilts of her mother's and stitching countless creations for family and friends.Before changing her address one last time, Betty spent many happy years at The Remington Club in Rancho Bernardo and then Sunland Home in Encinitas.Betty is survived by three of her four children (Nackey, Bill, Bob, Lani); three of her five stepchildren (Tim, Ted, Jerry, Dale, Jake); four grandchildren (Kelly, Carlin, Chris, Galen); and two of her three step-grandchildren (JT, Nackey, and William).A Celebration of Life will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 27, at Glen Abbey Chapel of the Roses, 3838 Bonita Road, Bonita, CA (where Betty and Bill were married). In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Sunland Home Foundation, Encinitas, CA; First Church of Christ, Scientist, Poway, CA; or Andrews Osborne Academy, Willoughby, OH. Please sign the guest book online at legacy.com/obituaries/ pomeradonews

Published by Pomerado News on Jul. 25, 2019.
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I have fond memories of the Mrs. Meanley and the family. My mom was good friends with her and we used to go to the Poway house and collect walnuts. That was a lot of fun. I marveled at the oak tree that they built the house around. The family was always very kind and caring.

John Nickerson

August 4, 2019

To the family: your mother held a special place in my life. There are certain people that change your life and your mother was one of them. She hired me at 15 as part of a work/study program and then she employed me part time through my years at LJHS. It was my first real job and I learned so much from a wonderful hardware store and the employees. Mostly I learned about showing initiative and being so rewarded with words by your mom. She noticed little things that I did and would always tell me. That work ethic followed me through life even if people did not notice. I knew that she would have. She was so kind and I returned at Xmas and every summer to my job while at UCLA. She gave me a typewriter for my high school graduation as funny as that seems now. I kept in contact with her for many years but unfortunately lost contact with her for the last 20 years. Bill her son, graciously employed my daughter at the hardware store which carried on the tradition. What a lovely store owned by a wonderful family who supported the community in every way! I will deeply miss her! Carol Sloyer (employed 1973 to 1981).

July 29, 2019

I fondly remember a children's party many years ago at the Meanley house in Poway, when I was a Garden Road School classmate of daughter, Lani. Mrs. Meanley set up a scavenger hunt which sent us little girls tearing around the property. It was very fun and creative, and I've thought of it so often over these many years.
Condolences to the Meanley family.

Jill Cross-Abille

July 28, 2019

A great loss of a wonderful woman. Countless happy memories of days spend at your home, in your pool, for church potlucks and gatherings. You will be missed. Nancy Green Wilson & Larry Wilson

Nancy Wilson

July 27, 2019

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Memorial Events
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Celebration of Life

10:00 a.m.

Glen Abbey Memorial Park

3838 Bonita Road, Bonita, CA 91902

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Glen Abbey Memorial Park

3838 Bonita Road, Bonita, CA 91902

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