Jan Leslie Meese was born May 8, 1955 to Harold and Nadine Meese near Buffalo, NY and raised in Williamsville and Clarence, NY. Jan Leslie, or JL as she was known, passed away peacefully at age 63 on November 2, 2018 surrounded by her family and friends, thus concluding her fascinating journey on this mysterious plane of existence.
JL was a 1972 graduate of Clarence High School, and attended the State University of NY in Albany after which she worked with the Girl Scouts of America in regional management. Her work led her to the Midwest where she first worked in St. Cloud, MN and then Davenport, IA. While attending the Unitarian Fellowship she met her future husband, Charles, and the two were married February 16, 1991 at Mayowood in Rochester, MN. They had two children, Caryn Nadine Mayo (24)and Charles Horace Mayo III (Chaz), 22.
JL had a keen mind and astonished her teachers by learning to read without instruction in preschool. In adulthood, her husband encouraged her to pursue her lifelong dream to study law. After studying for the LSAT entrance exam and obtaining a perfect score, she was awarded a full scholarship to Washburn University School of Law and attained her degree in 1995. When her husband's medical career led the family to Rice Lake, WI in 1996, JL then joined the law firm, Friess and Koehler and later became partner in the firm, Koehler and Meese practicing family and general law and functioning as City Attorney for Rice Lake with her law partner.
JL was a woman of considerable talent and generosity, and was also noted for a very dry sense of humor, and clever, even acerbic wit, often catching others off-guard and keeping them on their toes. In addition to legal practice, she endeavored to strengthen local and international relations through involvement with the Rice Lake International Friendship Association and Sister Cities affiliations with Miharu, Japan and Zamberk, Czech, serving a term as that organization's president and traveling to Japan. She and her family hosted many exchange students and international visitors from Japan and Czech throughout the years. JL supported the arts and was an active supporter of the local Northern Star Theater Company in Rice Lake where both her children participated instilling in them a love for the arts.
Unfortunately, in mid-adulthood JL’s health became increasingly impeded by brittle diabetes and complications. This necessitated eventual early retirement and a subsequent move to Woodstone Senior Living Center in Rice Lake for daily assistance. She benefitted from the kind and caring attention given by the staff there in her final 2 years.
Jan Leslie is survived by her husband of 27 years, Charles W. Mayo II, her daughter Caryn, in Washington, D.C. and her son Charles (Chaz), studying in London, England. She also leaves her sister, Jody Meese and her family of San Rafael, CA. She is predeceased by her parents and brother Van. She will be missed by her honorary family, Gert (Don) Patterson and her family including Roger (Kathleen), Ruth (Jerry), and Ronnie (Sally) and godson, Greg Wilson as well as Czech "son" Zbynek Kralik of Prague, Czech. Many more family, friends and acquaintances, especially Ana Traicoff-Strattioti, Patricia Barry, and Gabriel Traicoff, will miss her presence.
A memorial celebration for the life of Jan Leslie Meese is planned for April 13, 2019. She will be greatly missed by many.
No comments:
Post a Comment