Mary Ann Meyer

January 8, 1934 - February 13, 2021

Mary Ann Meyer A much-loved wife, mother, grandmother, great- grandmother, daughter, and sister; Mary Ann Meyer, 87, of Racine, Wisconsin, passed away peacefully at her home on February 13, 2021. She bravely confronted and fought Primary Myelofibrosis, dementia, and declining health in the last two years of her life. She showed us how to face life and its challenges with a calm spirit that will live on in all of us. She was born on January 8, 1934, in Kenosha, WI, graduating from Bradford High School in 1952, then resided in Mt. Pleasant and Caledonia for 66 years. Mary Ann married her beloved husband Ronald ‘Budʼ Meyer at St. Sebastianʼs Congregation in Sturtevant, WI on January 16, 1954. They had seven children and fostered 16 babies for Catholic Charities which she absolutely loved and cherished. Nothing made her happier than having a baby in her arms. Mary Ann and her husband owned and operated a truck farm where she worked many days together with Bud delivering produce in a stake bed truck to Piggly Wiggly stores across Racine, usually with a baby in tow alongside her. She maintained the most beautiful landscape and wildflower gardens on the Meyer Farm. Mary Ann always said her time on the farm and raising her children were the best of all times! In past years, Mary Ann was active in her church and community. She was a past President of Goodwill Volunteers and a Dale Carnegie assistant instructor. She volunteered her time at the Franksville Kraut Festival, managed a fundraising booth for Goodwill, and painted a detailed farm scene for the main stage honoring the farming community, which was featured in the Racine Journal Times. She and Bud were past recipients of the Franksville Businessmenʼs Association Community Service Award. Mary Ann loved dancing, gardening, floral arranging, enjoyed crocheting, and was an exceptional seamstress. Her cooking was out of this world and our home was filled with the most incredible aroma’s from Momʼs bustling kitchen. The summer BBQs and family reunions were a huge hit, even hosting their daughterʼs wedding under a big tent. There was always a hot meal on the table and an open door welcoming All. Many people were gifted with her crocheted afghans and gorgeous flower arrangements created for her daughter's and friends' weddings. Mary Ann sewed her daughters' formal dresses and even an equestrian outfit for a horse competition at the Racine County Fair. She enjoyed their monthly Card Club group of close friends betting pennies, nickels, sometimes dimes, and then back to nickels for more than six decades. She is predeceased by her parents Mike & Mary (nee: Caruso) Rizzo, son Robert ‘Bobbyʼ Meyer, and sister Janice Trossen. Mary Ann is survived by her husband, Bud; sons Michael (Julie) Meyer of San Antonio, TX and Kim Meyer of Kansasville; daughters Shawn (Mario) Denoto of Kansasville, Tamara (Brian) Jackson of Toluca Lake, CA, Deborah Meyer of Salida, CO and Gina Meyer of Fox Lake, IL; grandchildren Amanda (Omar) Rivera, Mateo and Owen Denoto, Robert (R.J.) and Brooklyn Meyer-Shaffer, great-grandchild Michael Rivera, her brother John (Heidi) Rizzo and sister Frances Haaland. Our family would like to thank Dr. Sana Jeffreys, her staff and the outstanding hospice team for their expertise and caring for Mary Ann these past years. Our most heartfelt thank you to Jenny Bodio, Momʼs live-in caregiver, for your constant love, compassion, and exceptional care. Mary Ann wanted to spend her final days at home and with Jennyʼs tremendous support we were able to fulfill her final wish. Mom loved Jenny, and our family will be forever grateful. For those wishing to remember Mary Ann in a special way, in lieu of flowers, donations to Careers Industries at careersindustries.com or St. Sebastian Parish at stsebracine.org are suggested. Due to the coronavirus and our desire to keep everyone sheltered and safe, a private service and burial were held with the immediate family at West Lawn Cemetery. An outdoor celebration of Mary Ann’s life will be held at a later date with family and friends so we can all gather safely.