L-R Paula Vitale, Shirley, Dorothy Stouggard, Kellie Vuich

Michael R Meyer

12192 North Lakeshore Drive

LaSalle, Michigan 48145

February 10th, 2014

           Dear Chairman Bill and trustees of  Monroe County Community College, directors of The Foundation at MCCC, President Kojo, Vice Presidents Grace, Randy and Sue, administrators, faculty and staff of MCCC:

           On behalf of myself and the entire extended family of my mother, Shirley Adele Meyer, please accept our deepest gratitude for the many, beautiful and touching expressions of support and sympathy. 

          The exquisite eulogy by Vice President Sue Wetzel, the wonderful resolution of tribute adopted and presented by the Board of Trustees and the lovely blog post by President Quartey were profoundly meaningful. Each superbly captured my mother’s spirit, dynamic presence in our personal and community life, and her very proud relationship with MCCC.

          The video tribute at the Jeff Daniels performance ---what can I possibly say?---it was simply breathtaking! Special thanks to the exceptional team of talented folks who are responsible---Josh Myers, Sue Wetzel, Joe Verkennes, Tom Ryder, Casey Waterworth, and narrator Paul W. Smith. And thank you to the entire audience for the enthusiastic standing ovation. I am quite confident that my mother heard it!

          The thoughtful comments by family, friends and members of the community affirm that my mother’s hopes have truly been realized. First, MCCC has clearly become the cultural arts center of the community of Monroe. Second, MCCC is front and center as the premier philanthropic choice for anyone wishing to expand and enrich educational opportunities and improve the quality of life in this special community we all love so dearly.

          In the video clip my mother reminisced about the opening of the La-Z-Boy Center and Meyer Theater in October 2004. She said that when saw all the smiling faces she got chills up and down her spine and that it was one of the happiest days of her life. Thank you for generously sharing that happiness with my mother and my family over and over during the last ten years. You filled her life with joy, laughter, love and meaning, and she felt those “chills of excitement” over and over. My mother was confident that those “chills of excitement” would prove highly contagious and inspire many others to support the mission of MCCC…and so it has!

With deep and enduring gratitude,

Mike

Michael Richard Meyer

Chair, The Foundation at Monroe County Community College

MCCC Trustee (1994-2012)

I'll always cherish the memory of sipping champagne and discussing interior design with Shirley on the stern of Liquidity on Easter Sunday four years ago. Our shared enthusiasm for design made our friendship an instant success. She had a remarkable eye for design, but I'll remember her most for her grace and her immeasurable joy.   Austrian poet and novelist, Rainer, Maria Rilke, once said, "There is really no more beautiful way of puting one's own life force to the test than by recognizing and seizing joy itself, without exaggeration but purely with the strength of joy, and to grasp with its proper measure the perfection and loveliness of a few days without even the least sense of a 'too much'."


Thank you for sharing your gift of joy with me.   





     

“The Brass Rail”

Introduction--- the 90th Birthday Toast to Shirley’s “Joie De Vivre”

Last year, as my toast to Miss Shirley Adele on her 90th birthday, I reflected on one of her defining and most contagious qualities.  I told her that if there was an Academy Award for creating, nurturing, expanding, enhancing and sharing “joie de vivre”---that unmistakable and joyous exultation of life --- she would be receiving a lifetime achievement award from the academy.

I didn’t realize then…and neither did she…that the academy would actually be Saint Mary’s Academy, the voters would include the IHM Sisters, and the reception would be in the IHM Motherhouse. How perfectly all of this has coalesced for someone raised in the protestant tradition. Both Shirley and the IHMs have truly embraced the ecumenical movement and we are all so much richer for it!

I’m quite certain that two of her dearest friends and St Mary Academy grads---my mother, Hildreth Comstock Braunlich and Betty Perini--- are toasting Shirley now with sly grins saying----“let’s see now---we had the IHM Sisters from kindergarten to high school graduation, and in my mother’s case for four more years at Marygrove…and, no…it’s little Miss Shirley Madden Schroeder Meyer Presbyterian who gets the really big send-off from the IHM Motherhouse.” Quelle Suprise!

The magic of her “Joie de Vivre” at work again. Even the IHM sisters have been entranced.

So my reflection, my story to share with you is one of the central stories of her life, of Mr. Meyer’s life and of the family they would create together…and the transformational power of her “joie de vivre”.

The Brass Rail---World War II---Detroit, Michigan

In the early 1940’s while World War II was raging in both the European and Pacific Theaters, Shirley Schroeder was opening an entirely new chapter of her life in Monroe Michigan. Assigned to Monroe in a supervisory capacity by Michigan Bell, this big-city Detroit girl was tasked with getting little Monroe up to speed on the latest communication technology---transitioning from “hand crank phones” to the new “rotary dial system”.

Initially Shirley found Monroe shockingly small, rather backward, clannish and cliquish…but she soon made a growing circle of wonderful friends, including Betsey Black and Leonard Meyer. Over time, she learned about this handsome, blond, perhaps yet available navy pilot based in the South Pacific---named Dick Meyer. Len’s youngest brother. Several of her new Monroe friends said---He’s just perfect for you! Now mind you---Shirley Schroeder and Dick Meyer—at this point had never ever met---in Monroe, or Detroit or anywhere else.

Cue up the World War II music. And join me in a little time travel back to Detroit during the War…to a prominent and very popular establishment called “The Brass Rail”. Shirley was there with a group of friends, mostly from Monroe. And around the corner and down the way, in a private somewhat secluded booth, on leave from the South Pacific was that handsome, blond, tan, fit and trim 27 year old Navy Pilot in his uniform…Lieutenant Richard Martin Meyer. The catch---he was with a date---and she was, as they would say in that era, “a looker".

Shirley got the word and what she did next…well, it’s truly the stuff of a Danielle Steel novel. Wearing her stiletto heels, and dressed to the nines, Shirley sauntered past the booth as if she was casually making her way to the other side of the bar. She glanced at Dick Meyer…stopped suddenly, did a saucy head swivel and a double take and said…”Dick…Dick Meyer. Oh my word, I haven’t seen you since you were in flight training in Pensacola. You look great! And what a wonderful time we had in Florida.”

Then Shirley turned to Dick’s date on the other side of the booth, batted her long lashes and said, “Oh dear, you’ll have to excuse me, I certainly didn’t mean to interrupt, but I just got so excited seeing Lieutenant Meyer again. Now, you two get right back to your drinks and conversation. And I’ll get back to my table.”

Shirley reached out to Dick’s hand, squeezed it with an innocent smile, and said “Dick, it really is so good to see you again.” And then, as quickly as she had appeared--- she disappeared among the dense and noisy crowd of patrons.

Bewitched and mystified simultaneously…and wondering how he could ever forget meeting and spending time with this enchantress, Dick Meyer did what any red-blooded United States naval officer would do. He called a cab, escorted his date to the street, kissed her cheek goodbye, gave the cab driver the fare, closed the cab door and, after a respectable time standing on the street waving goodbye, he headed right back into the Brass Rail…in search for the mystery woman with the winking, blinking chocolate brown eyes, the curvaceous figure, the red dress and the contagious” joie de vivre”.

Dick cautiously canvassed the various tables, the booths and bar stools of the Brass Rail. His heart now pounded a bit---Had she left already? Who was this person? How would he find her again?  And, then, as he rounded a corner of the establishment, there she was--- seated at a table surrounded by several of his closest friends from Monroe. All of them were smiling mischievously. Shirley had her head playfully cocked to one side---and held out her drink in an invitational first toast.

It was now clear…Dick had never met Shirley before---it was a setup perfectly executed and perfectly timed by a master in projecting her own signature “joie de vivre”. He was hooked…right then and forever there after…and all of us in this exceptional community of Monroe have also been hooked and connected to their story.

 Thank you Shirley for sharing your life and this magic with me for the past 38 years--- and for embracing me and my relationship with your son ---my life with your son---with total support and unconditional love.

  And to all of you---the next time you are in the La-Z-Boy Center for a performance in the Richard M. and Shirley A.  Meyer Theater…take a look around in the atrium and you will find a beautiful brass rail mounted low on the wall by the bar. Our dear friends Jerry Welch, President Emeritus of Monroe County Community College and his wife, Dr. Joyce Haver, arranged for this brass rail as their private homage to the story that got the whole ball rolling.

 I know Shirley would approve of all of you smiling--- knowingly--- the next time you cozy up to the rail. So order a drink for you and your special someone. Raise your glasses and say “Here’s to the Brass Rail…and to that beautiful Lady in Red… here’s to Shirley Adele Meyer”.

By: William H. Braunlich

IHM Motherhouse Chapel

Shirley Adele Meyer Memorial Service—November 16th, 2013

Shirley, What a difference you have made in our lives. You have welcomed us with open arms. Your love of life was contagious and we all wanted to be like you, always ready for a new adventure.  We can't thank you enough for the wonderful times we shared on Liquidity, Easter's at Buttonwood and the wonderful Birthdays we shared with you, which were many.  We will truly miss you and the"one more drink at your house".  So in closing we hope your life on the other side is as awesome as you have experienced here on earth. We will miss our times together and miss a truly wonderful and loving friend who meant so much to us.
Jim and Kathy 

I’m not sure how to describe a larger than life personality other than to say you know it when you see it.  It wouldn’t take even the most casual observer long to recognize that Miss Shirley was one of a kind.  Her presence and effervescent zest for life was unmistakable, and her perfectly coifed hair lacked for only a legal trademark.  She was a lady whose extraordinary grace will endure through her many acts of profound kindness and generosity.   Enriching Lives may be the mission of MCCC, but it is the embodiment of that ideal that is the legacy of Shirley A. Meyer.  She leaves this world a much better and brighter place than she found it.  For that reason alone, each and every person in her much-beloved Monroe owes her a great debt of gratitude.

Oh, and man did she know how to have a good time!  Cheers to Miss Shirley!

My Dearest Shirley, I hope that you did know  that you have been my role model and hero as long as I've known you. Your savvy approach to life and how you enbraced it; progressive beliefs, intelligence, graciousness, generosity, class, kindness, tolerance and most of all your zest for life and spirit have been an inspiration to many of us.  You made such a difference in this world and made so many lives better thru your causes and friendships, and the world will never be the same without you.

How fortunate to have had the privilege to spend precious moments with you- even though too few. I'll miss knowing that you are here, but will honor your memory
by trying everyday to emulate you as much as possible.
And, yes, in your honor, of course, I will do my best to drink as much "Absolute" as possible, and toast to you every time!
Thank you for the memories and the gift of you!  
      
And, thank you to our dear friends, Mike and Bill, for being the catylist for  bringing Shirley into our lives.  Our connection with her was because of your inclusiveness.  Your deep love and respect for her has always been so admirable. Can't wait to celebrate Shirley's  amazing life with both of you.   

Lots of hugs and love, Ursula

  

As each of us passes through time we reflect upon the characters in life and the characters that are larger than life, characters that are perhaps from a bygone era. Shirley Meyer was one of those extraordinary individuals, larger than life itself, a member of the Greatest Generation whose remarkable actions and selfless contributions made our community a better place in which  to live and will afford succeeding generations the opportunities to make choices that once did not seem possible. Her personal ethic and philanthropic generosity leaves a legacy to be admired and emulated.

But my fondest memory of Shirley is one that is more urbane in nature, one that is more stylish and 1950’s chic, as she and her beloved husband Dick, along with my own parents, “tripped the light fantastic” across the dance floor to the strains of Xavier Cugat and Perez Prado as they counted out one-two-cha-cha-cha at their regular cha-cha lessons. That was the Shirley of a bygone era – the character I knew and treasured, the woman larger than life. God bless you Shirley and may the angels greet you with open arms and an open dance card.

In 1998, Shirley provided a high profile launch to the capital campaign for the Instructional Center for Business Training and the Performing Arts at Monroe County Community College with a 1 million dollar donation. Shirley’s lead gift provided the “Realizing the Vision” campaign with immediate visibility, credibility and momentum. The 12 million dollar campaign exceeded expectations, raised 13.5 million dollars and resulted in the beautiful facility now known as the La-Z-Boy Center of Monroe County Community College. The MCCC Board of Trustees, recognizing her inspirational leadership and exceptional generosity, named the 575 seat theater which functions as the exquisite centerpiece of the facility, the “Richard M. and Shirley A. Meyer Theater”.  Since its grand opening in the fall of 2004, the Meyer Theater has developed a reputation as a state of the art performing arts venue with outstanding acoustics and as a superb corporate and community classroom.  Shirley was extremely gratified by the success of the facility and was deeply touched by the many comments and expressions of thanks from so many people throughout the Monroe community.  Mrs. Meyer’s portrait, displaying her radiant smile and signature hair-style, hangs proudly in the atrium outside the Meyer Theater.

 In the summer of 2007, Shirley donated “Circle Squared” to MCCC, a contemporary stainless steel sculpture by Texas-based artist Nic Noblique. This sculpture, located at the main entrance to the La-Z-Boy Center/Meyer Theater, captured and reflected, in Mrs. Meyer’s opinion, the beauty, energy and excitement of the performing arts.