Mary (Racich) Meyers, 88, of North Perry died in her home during an incredible thunder and lightning storm the morning of April 20th. Gone with the wind, our little bird was finally set free. She was lovingly tended to by her devoted family.

Born in Sveti Rok, Yugosolvia (now Croatia), she travelled across the Atlantic aboard the SS Minnedosa with her mother when she was 10 months old. Baby Mary and Mother Ida arrived on USA soil via Ellis Island. The first 9 years of her life, Mary lived with her family in company housing where her “Pa” (Nicholas) was employed in mining camps in Pennsylvania and Ohio and where Ma took in boarders who worked in the camps. The family then moved to a small farm in Hopedale, Ohio where Mary lived with her parents and three younger sisters until she left home for nursing school in 1941. She graduated in 1944 from Youngstown General Hospital where she began her nursing career. She then served stateside in the Army Nurse Corps as a Lieutenant and was honorably discharged September of 1946. After her discharge she worked at the VA Crile Hospital where she met her husband Edward (he was her patient and Mary had to reprimand Ed for smoking in bed!). She ended her Nursing career when she married her beloved Edward in May 1949. She became the family matriarch and gave birth to 11 children in 15 short years!

Mary and Ed raised their family in Cleveland then moved to N. Perry in 1977 where they enjoyed retirement and lived out their final days. Mary LOVED her home and life in N. Perry. She resisted all of Ed’s persistent efforts to move to Arizona. N. Perry was her home and N. Perry is where she aimed to stay. She loved fussing over her house and gardens. She loved to cook and bake which came in handy as Ed sure loved to eat! The family was honored to provide the needed care to keep both of their parents at home until they died.

Mary was everybody’s sweetheart. She loved to give hugs and smile into your eyes. She will always be remembered for her love and devotion to her extended family, friends, her nursing buddies, her community, church and in her zest for living. Mary was never concerned about personal rewards and her greatest gift was improving the lives of every one she touched. We are all the richer for having had you in our lives. She can now give her husand; Pa Sisters; Tom and Rita a hug from us all!

Mary is preceded in death by her Husband Edward; sisters Ann, Kay and Vera; children Thomas and Rita. She is survived by her children Gregory (Mary), Jeffrey (Maggy), Paul (Beth), Deborah (Ed Greenleaf), Barbara (Mel Courtney), Rebecca (John Hansen), Nicholas (Ann), Joan (Rob Bliss) and Stephen (fiance Christine); fourteen grandchildren; 10 great grandchildren; 24 nieces and nephews.

The family wishes to give special thanks to the Hospice team that cared for Mary. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Hospice of the Western Reserve, 300 East 185th St., Cleveland, OH 44119 www.hospicewr.org or to the charity of your choice.

In the spirit of Ed and Mary’s dream to walk together hand-in-hand into eternity, please join us for a Memorial Service to celebrate both their lives on Saturday May 21st, their 62nd Wedding Anniversary! The service will be held at St. Cyprian Church, 4223 Middle Ridge Road, Perry at 2:00 p.m.

Arrangements by The Behm Family Funeral Homes & Crematory, 26 River St., Madison, OH 44057.