Mary Jo Meyer

Mary Jo "MJ" Meyer passed away peacefully on July 3, 2024 surrounded by her family.

Mary Jo was a force to be reckoned with when it came to bringing people together and closer. Her wisdom, kindness and laughter made her a pillar of strength, a voice of reason and a safe harbor for all in the family. She also philanthropically brought those in need to her dinner table. MJ hosted Marines, migrants, and many others who were displaced during the holidays at her dinner table. She always made sure each person had a gift even if she was meeting them for the first time. She opened her home with warmth and generosity, ensuring that everyone felt included and involved in the laughter, and fun. She regularly said "life is short, if you do one thing do this: have fun." She always had fun! Many friends from all over the world turned out for her memorial and visited her prior to her passing away. A testament to her as a person was seen by the entire family when many friends came to her side during her final hours and told her they loved her and will never forget her.

Mary Jo Meyer (nee Beckett) was born in Jos, Nigeria to missionary parents Joseph Beckett of Northern Ireland and Jessie McLaughlin Beckett of Scotland on October 26, 1946. She married Richard Frederick Meyer who graduated with a PhD in Physics from the University of Pennsylvania. Richard predeceased her in 1998. MJ went on to have a lifelong companion in Darwin "Wayne" Barstow who passed away in 2023. She is survived by her three loving sons Gregory R. Meyer (wife Sasha), Jason F. Meyer (wife Erica) and Jeffrey J. Meyer (wife Renae) along with her many grandchildren Michael, Brandon, Johnny, Cody, Andrew, Cooper, Marley, Madeline and great granddaughter Aubrey. She was predeceased by her granddaughter Emma Meyer.

In 1976, the family packed up the station wagon and moved from Chester Springs, PA to Escondido, California as Richard worked for GE in the Space Program. MJ's young sons (all under 8 years old) were told "we're getting a pool" and that was all it took to convince them of the move.

MJ worked as an Emergency Room nurse at Palomar and Pomerado hospitals for many years and was later involved in the cardiac rehabilitation unit and chemotherapy clinics. She made innumerable friends along the way and was a regular volunteer at soup kitchens and homeless shelters in North County. Later in life she loved a good estate sale, trips to Julian for apple pie and filling her days with adventure and laughter. She was an avid reader and was always a desired trivia partner. She recalled once playing onscreen trivia on a flight to Ireland and many passengers finding her to ask how she could possibly know all this trivia?? She had an incredible memory and a nose for nonsense. Her famous quotes include "pay your debts like you owe them to God", "dance with the girl no one is dancing with", "don't forget where you came from" and "you owe gratitude, pay it".

Growing up in Nigeria, salt was a mainstay preservative making all of the meals she prepared in the US a bit salty. If our meals are a bit salty now, we know she tapped a little more out of the shaker.

MJ was extremely proud of her children and grandchildren and followed them in all their activities, and attended their games and graduations and milestones. She had a wide smile for friends, family and strangers alike. Our family gatherings will not be the same without MJ by our sides, with a silly laugh and a gift in hand. We are committed to carrying on her traditions, ensuring her spirit remains with us, and her memory stays alive.

We love you mom and grandma!