Lois Marilynne McAllister

Lois Marilynne (Meyer) McAllister, 94, died on August 7, 2025 in Corvallis, Oregon, where she had lived with her daughter for the past 10 years. She was born on November 30, 1930 at the height of the Great Depression in St. James, MN, the youngest of 2 children born to Louis and Myrtle (Curtis) Meyer. She graduated with honors from St. James High School and 2 months later lost her left hand in a canning factory accident in a nearby town. She started college anyway and graduated from Mankato State Teachers College with a 2-year certificate in Elementary Education. She received her BA degree in teaching years later (after raising children) at Madonna College in Livonia, MI. Lois moved to Ann Arbor, MI with her husband, Bruce (Mac), on their honeymoon in August 1956, and they eventually settled in Farmington, MI where they raised two children and lived until 1993. Lois loved children and teaching. Next to her family, she was a lover of art, color, nature, gardening, flower arranging, photography, jazz and classical music, and was also a history buff, active in the Historical Society in Farmington. She was also a scout leader, Sunday school teacher, picture lady in elementary schools, member of Hill and Dale Garden Club, and did flower therapy with challenged children. She and Mac moved to Grand Haven, MI in 1993, where she continued teaching for several years and then enjoyed many good years of retirement, RV traveling, volunteering, and keeping up with all that Grand Haven offered. Her favorite role was being one of the first 'school marms' at DeWitt School every spring for 7 years as part of an ongoing program through the Tri-Cities Museum. She always believed in the power of education, and working with children in a loving way was one of the most important and rewarding things she ever did. In 2015, Lois moved with Mac to Oregon, where she enjoyed the Corvallis community, a milder climate, plays, movies, concerts, eating out, scenic drives, and adventures to beautiful and interesting places in Oregon. Lois was forever grateful to those who preceded her in death and shaped her life: Bruce McAllister, her husband of 60 years, her father Louis Meyer and mother Myrtle (Curtis) Meyer of St. James, MN, her brother Donovan Meyer and his wife Betty of Fremont, CA, and a half-sister Nona (Meyer) Reichal and her husband Allie. She is survived by her daughter Lynne McAllister of Corvallis, OR, son Lee McAllister of Alexandria, VA, and granddaughter, Erin McAllister of Alexandria, VA. A private family celebration of life will be held at a future date at Lake Forest Cemetery in Grand Haven, MI. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a children's charity of choice.