Sister Mary Jean Meier

Meier, Mary Jean
May 25, 1925 - August 8, 2010
Meier, Sister Mary Jean, RSM - went home to our Lord in Los Angeles on Sunday, August 8, 2010 at the age of 85. Born Kathleen Marie, a native of Los Angeles, was the younger of the two children of Louis Meier and Catherine Hickey Meier. She attended Mother of Good Council Elementary School and Catholic Girl's High School (Conaty/Loretto), graduating in 1942. After a year at Immaculate Heart College, Kathleen Marie entered the Sisters of Mercy in Burlingame, CA, and professed her vows as Sister Mary Jean in January of 1946.

She received a B.A. in Business Education from San Jose State University and an M.A. in School Administration from the University of San Francisco, and taught business classes at Catholic Girls High School, Los Angeles, and Mercy High School San Francisco for twelve years before becoming principal at Mercy High School, Burlingame from 1959-1962, followed by three years as Director of St. Mary's Residence Hall in San Francisco.

From 1965 to 1971 Sister served as treasurer general for the Sisters of Mercy at their administrative offices in Burlingame. It was in 1971 that Sister Mary Jean began her ministry for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles as Coordinator for Elementary School Finance. She returned to ministry within the Sisters of Mercy in 1974 as Director of Education at St. Joseph's Medical Center in Phoenix, AZ. She was then asked to raise funds to build a skilled nursing unit at Mercy Retirement and Care Center in Oakland, California.

In 1986, the then Archbishop Roger Mahony, invited Sister Mary Jean to return to service for Archdiocese of Los Angeles. Sister's amazing and tireless work began as Director of Development and culminated as Director of Special Services. During these years she conducted over 35 pilgrimages to shrines in Europe and the Middle East venerated in Catholic tradition. Working with Cardinal Mahony, Sister's ministry included the early development of the thriving Catholic Education Foundation which makes yearly grant awards to and inaugurated the "Catholic Event of the Year," the Cardinal's Awards a gala evening to honor selfless friends of the Archdiocese.

Her life was spent, getting to know and nurturing the families and friends of the Church. She cared about every person who pass through her life and endeared herself to many. Sister will be remembered for her very energetic and compassionate personality, positive outlook, and expertise in business and finance. Predeceased by her parents and brother, Vincent, she is survived by her nephews Patrick and John Meier, or Wisconsin, and a niece, Kathleen Meier Hornstein, of Minnesota, and her loving community of the Sisters of Mercy.

To celebrate the faith-filled life of Sister Mary Jean Meier, Cardinal Roger Mahony will officiate at the Mass of the Christian burial at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 14, 2010, at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels, 555 West Temple Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012, interment will be in the Mausoleum at the Cathedral. A reception will follow in the Cathedral Conference Center.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Sisters of Mercy, 2300 Adeline Drive, Burlingame, CA 94010, the Catholic Education Foundation or the Cardinal Timothy Manning House of Prayer for Priests, in care of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, 3424 Wilshire Blvd, 5th Floor, Los Angeles, CA, 90010.