Obituary of Mary Elizabeth Mayer

Jill Mayer made a habit of defying expectations. Born Mary Merritt, she was told as a young woman that her only options were to marry or pursue a career in nursing. She did both, and much more. She was a gifted archer, and a meticulous multimedia artist. Jill raised 4 children, moving frequently throughout North America. Everywhere she lived

became a home. You could often find her gardening

reading, and creating elaborate dioramas.

She kept a keen sense of her family history and instilled an appreciation of heritage in her children. Her grandchildren share her love of the natural world and the magic it has to offer. Every conversation with her left you inspired or laughing. Jill lived to the age of 90, passing away early April 18,2024. She was a bright iris standing tall in a field of her own.

Grandma taught us all

The importance of keeping

A little magic in our lives 

Or even a whole heaping

 

She praised creativity

And no matter what we might do

It was more than enough

If we loved ourselves too.

 

She spoke of the fae folk

As if it was her will

That we would grow to love them

Like we loved our dear Jill

 

Now we are without Grandma

And miss her humor and wisdom in parts

But I imagine and smile to think

She's with those closest to her heart.

 

She enjoyed Irish folk music.

She loved having parties, her annual pizza party and made a delectable chocolate cake.

She loved fairies and elephants.

Her four children were her greatest achievement.

She liked knitting and making doll houses.

She also enjoyed painting and flying.

Her favorite traditions were Thanksgiving and Christmas, and she always made a big deal out of birthdays. She was also a gift giver and was known to give gifts to many; for any reason she could think of.

One of the funniest memories her family has of her is that when she would make bread balls, all of the neighborhood kids would show up. She was also very humorous about, what she would call, “The Joy of Aging.”

She wanted to fly but was denied, so she taught me to fly. She wanted to wander and explore the world but was denied, so she taught me to be free. In a world that tried to deny me, she taught me to find magic. Without her I would have failed. She shared in equal measure her Irish sweetness and instilled in us her Irish toughness. She was intensely loved by those who got to know her best. In her final years she found a well-earned peace and comfort.

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