Marcella M. Meyer

Meyer, Marcella M.
Marcella M. Meyer, of Anaheim Hills, California passed away May 26, 2009. Marcella Mae Gulick was born in Kansas City, MO on May 14, 1925, the youngest of six children of James and Augusta Gulick. At six, Marcella contracted Scarlet Fever and became totally deaf. Marcella connected with other deaf people when she was eighteen years old, and discovered and learned sign language which became her preferred communication for the rest of her life. She was an active member of the Kansas City, MO and KS Clubs for the deaf and after returning to CA in 1966, became an active member of the Long Beach and Los Angeles Clubs. In her 40's, Marcella went back to school and earned her high school diploma. She also learned how to drive and got her first drivers license. She left the factory lines and began working in social services which became her life long passion. At age 50, Marcella became a volunteer in a pilot project sponsored by The Greater Los Angeles Council on Deafness (GLAD). This project, supported by the United Way of Los Angeles, grew to become one of the largest, grassroots, deaf, social service organizations in the world. Under Marcella's leadership, GLAD was instrumental in establishing free TTY's for deaf citizens, communication access to community services, interpreter services in the courts, captioning on T.V, and the establishment of the CA Relay Service. Marcella also was appointed to the L.A. Commission on Disabilities by Mayor Bradley. She remained on the Commission until she retired at age 73. Marcella's vision included a Community Center, owned by the deaf community, and she was there when the ribbon was cut for that building in Eagle Rock, CA. Marcella is survived by her three daughters, three sons in law, five grandchildren, 13 grandchildren, one brother and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. A public Celebration of Marcella's life will be held at the GLAD Building on June 14, 2:00pm, at 2222 Laverna Street, in Eagle Rock. For more information, contact 323-478-8000. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the MMM Scholarship fund at GLAD.