Mary Lou Meister

MARY LOU MEISTER (nee Fasolino), age 83; beloved wife of Edward A. for 62 years; loving mother of Cheryl Meister (Don Armstrong), Cliff Meister and Louise Vavrus (Don); devoted grandmother of Shauna Kearns (John) and Hallie Vavrus; great-grandmother of Aaron Kearns; loving sister of the late Joan; aunt of many nieces and nephews. Mass of Christian Burial at St. Thomas More Church, Monday, September 19 at 10 a.m. (please meet at church). Final resting place Holy Cross Mausoleum. Friends received at RIPEPI FUNERAL HOME, 5762 PEARL RD. (AT SNOW RD.), SUNDAY 2-4 P.M.


Eulogy by Cheryl Meister

Mary Lou Meister was born August 9, 1933 to Fred and Lucy Fasolino (nee Fiorito), of Italian and Canadian decent, the second child and sister of Josephine, also known as Joan.  Her father was a bricklayer; her mother was a homemaker.  She was born at home on W. 105th.  It was the Great Depression, therefore her crib was a dresser drawer.  Luckily, there was a large, extended, Italian family for support.  Mom went to St. Ignatius Grade School.  While a student there, she worked at the penny candy shop, which provided a few stomach aches from eating too much candy she bought with her pay.  She then attended Lourdes Academy and graduated in 1951.  It was there that she met lifelong friends, who formed a club and remain intact to this day.  She had her pets, Major and Brownie, and was involved in community theater, or as she called it, "Little Theater".
Mom caught dad's eye at the Rollercade.  She was a sweet young thing and he was smitten.  They were married April 24, 1954; to date, 62 years; and I was born nine months and one day later.  Cliff followed in 1956 and Louise in 1960. Initially they lived with mom's parents on W. 116th, then in a double in Lakewood and finally, to Winter Lane in Brooklyn in 1960.  Dad worked hard always, holding a variety of jobs until he established Meister Antenna Service.  Mom held the fort at home, being the classic 1960's homemaker; notably, cooking.  We were well-fed, cared for and loved.
The kitchen was her forte, but family was always her priority.  We were raised in conjunction with our cousins: Donna, Bobbie, Bernie, Michael and Jeff.  Our holidays and birthdays were spent together at our grandparents.  We are grateful for our traditions; our Thanksgivings, Christmas Eves, Easter brunches, July 4th celebrations and birthdays.  The food and customs of which we are passing down.  Mom worked as an executive secretary, particularly for Mayor John Coyne in the 1960's and American Greetings.  Sometime in the early 1970's, her Catholic roots resurfaced and she became heavily involved with St. Thomas More Parish as part of Legion of Mary and the choir.
Mom loved to read, especially mysteries, which led to her being President of the Friends of Brooklyn Library for 20 years.  Her love of children showed through her helping develop, and then working for, the Children's Toy Library.
She was blessed with her first granddaughter, Shauna, in 1980, who brought her great joy, and was double blessed in 1997 when Hallie was born.  Her great-grandson, Aaron, was born in 2000.  Hallie and Aaron were the lights of her life and she loved that they could grow up together because they were so close in age.
Mom going to the "other place" is a game changer for all of us.  Things are not the same and never will be.  But she will be remembered always for the beautiful, smart, generous, loving woman that she was.