Lynne passed peacefully at home surrounded by family. She lived 95 plus amazing years.
She was predeceased by loving husband, Walter A. Meares Jr., in July 2014 and is survived by their three children: Sharon Meares Commins (Stephen); Walter A. Meares III (Bichloan); and Julie Meares Frybarger.
She was proud of her grandchildren: Melanie, Justin, Lindsay (Travis), Whitney (Erik), Brooks (Deanna). She enjoyed her great grandchildren: Jefferson, Cambria, James, Calvin, and Oliver. She leaves behind many loving friends, and Silas the cat.
Her greatest accomplishments started with being a wife, mom, friend, and homemaker, although she would tell you in her youth it was passing plane geometry, marrying Walt, having a family – children, pets, and learning to drive.
She was an avid mystery reader, bridge and bunco player, Christmas ornament maker, stamp collector, needle pointer, scrapbooker, and greeting card lover: both to send and collect. She was keenly interested in politics, sports, and fashion.
Lynne was a kind and gentle human being. She had time for everyone…from her family to the grocery store cashier, the ladies from “Arnolds,” organization friends, the hair dresser, the dry cleaner….She just loved people and they loved her back.
Walt and Lynne believed in giving back to their community through participation. Consequently, she was PTA President at every school her children attended.
Accomplishments over 65 years:
• Girl Scout Troop Committee Member
• United Fund Captain
• Job’s Daughter Mother’s Club
• Taught Sunday school for 5th graders for a year at First Presbyterian
• Safety Council: Secretary-Treasurer, Press Chairman (twice)
• Burbank Decent Literature Committee: Secretary
• Cub Scout
• Mom Women’s Club First VP: Press Chairman (>5000 column inches), Corresponding Secretary, Safety Chairman
• Burbank Family Service Auxiliary: Presiding Officer, Secretary
• Leilani Chapter Children’s Home Society
• Sodalista
• National Charity League: President 2 years during National Convention held in Burbank, Social Graces Chair, Bal de Noel Chairman 4th VP Treasurer, Inspirational Chairman coordinated Membership Tea, Corresponding Secretary Reservations, Juniors Adviser 2 yrs
• PTA Burbank:
Thomas Jefferson Elementary President – the first 2-term President Safety Chairman, Corresponding Secretary Publications and Emblems chairman Historian, Founder’s Day, Juvenile Protection Chairman, Parliamentarian, Life Membership recipient, Work Shop Delegate. John Muir Jr High: 2-time President Programs First VP Magazine Chairman Press. Burbank High School: President 1 yr, Co-Finance Chairman. Burbank PTA Council: 2nd VP, 5th VP, Safety Chairman
• PTA – Mississippi: St. Martin High School President Secretary, Press Chairman, Secretary, Founding President of Jackson County Mississippi PTA Council, State Board PTA By Laws Chairman Mississippi, Selected as outstanding unit President and sent to Washington D.C. as State legislative group that met with Senators and visited the White House to meet Betty Ford, Delegate to Regional Conference in Norman OK, Co-sponsored Gulf Coast Leadership Training Forum with State President, Asked to be State PTA President 1976 but moving back to CA PTA Day on the Coast
• Gulf Hills Garden Club: First VP Program Chairman
• St. Martin’s Lioness Club Charter Member Scholarship Chairman Scrapbook Chairman
• UCLA Sorority Mother’s Clubs: Gamma Phi Beta – Secretary and President, Sigma Kappa – Secretary and President
• La Providencia Guild of Children’s Hospital Los Angeles: President, Newsletter, Inaugurated Forward Planning Chairmanship, Treasurer 2 yrs, Auditor, Annual Fashion Show Chair, Bridge Chair, Telephone Tree Parliamentarian Membership 1st VP Cotillion Chair, Christmas Card Committee, Special Gifts Chair Thrift Shop Booklet Annual Meeting Chair Thrift Shop worker
• PEO Sisterhood Chapter U
She and her husband Walt firmly believed that we have an obligation to return our time and talents to our communities. You did good, Mom!
Not a bad journey for a little adopted girl from Evanston…creating a legacy that touched not only her family’s lives but her friends around the country.
Mom’s strengths were love and words…the ability to lift you without judgement made her an inspirational leader.
Mom always took time to write cards for birthdays, friends, pet loss, or just because…somehow, she always knew what and how to say or not say the right thing…an amazing gift. She taught us not to judge someone until we walked in the other person’s moccasins.
Memorial Service on Dec. 29, 2022 at 1:30 p.m. at Little Church of the Flowers Forest Lawn Glendale, 1712 S. Glendale Ave., Glendale CA 91205.
Please celebrate Lynne via donation to Children’s Hospital Los Angeles.
