Meta Mehl

5/22/1925 – 4/1/2010
Birthplace: Abbotsford, BC, Canada
Last Resided in: Bellingham, WA
Obituary
Meta Lorna Mehl passed away suddenly on Apr. 1, 2010 from Colon Cancer with her loving cat Helen in her lap. On May 22, 1925 she was born to Lawrence (Laurie) Wells, well known Skagit Valley artist and landscape designer, and his wife Marion Beaty Wells in Abbotsford, BC while they were visiting relatives. Meta was raised in Mt.
Vernon. After High School she attended Johnson’s School of Beauty Culture and also worked as a telephone operator for Skagit Valley Rural Telephone Co. On Feb. 22, 1945 she married Stanley J. Johnson of Mt. Vernon and raised 3 children. They belonged to Skagit Amateur Radio Club which kept them busy socializing, along with camping each summer.
Mom never learned to drive so she rode her bicycle everywhere. She and a friend would take a picnic lunch and go for a bike ride nearly everyday. They would bike in their neighborhood, or go as far as 20 miles, yet she always made sure she was home before her daughter returned from school. She also enjoyed hiking and shelter camping on the Olympic beaches during the winters with her cousin’s family where they would sometimes bring home a treasured glass float. At age 29 she received her US citizenship. After her husband Stan passed away suddenly in 1974, she became friends with her daughter’s future mother-in-law Eunice, and the two single ladies took road trips together often.
After being widowed for 4 years, she answered an ad in the “personals” section of the paper and met Lauren “Gristy” Mehl. They were married on June 14, 1979 and bought a home in Birch Bay Village. Sadly 3 years later he passed away, but during their short story book marriage they enjoyed dancing at the various clubs Gristy belonged to.
After Gristy passed away, Mom moved to Bellingham and there she thrived. We began to learn more about the real Meta while she explored many new things. She was an avid reader. She enjoyed books on self healing, local history, books about cats and she had all of the Silvia Brown and Shirley McLaine books, maybe because Shirley is her cousin!
While not a religious person, she was spiritual, and throughout the years she took up interests in Buddhism, Tibetan culture, Yoga, Thai Chi, Feng Shui, anything Native American, Kokopelli, palmistry, astrology, handwriting analysis, and even Wiccan to name a few. She was known for always wearing hats and interesting necklaces such as healing crystals, fairies, or Native American turquoise. Mom became the caregiver for our brother for several years until he died of diabetes complications in 1987.
After the deaths of the men in her life she decided she would remain single and focus on herself. She enjoyed shopping in antique stores and had an extensive collection of antique dolls, cow creamers, and children’s and dolls porcelain tea sets. In later years she enjoyed crossword puzzles, jig saw puzzles, and gardening. She also enjoyed sewing, knitting, and crocheting.
Because she never learned to drive, she knew the Bellingham bus system intimately. She made sure to get out of the house everyday and would pick a bus to ride, just for a ride. She knew all the bus drivers by first name, learned about their families, and made acquaintances with fellow riders.
She took pride in owning Bose stereo equipment and had an enviable CD collection. She enjoyed Neil Young rock to New Age; Reggae to Country; Hawaiian to Eric Clapton and the Blues; Prairie Home Companion to her own grandson’s rock album. We found no Opera or Rap in Moms collection!
She was a very independent and private person yet she surprised everyone in the family one Christmas at age 72 with gifts of professional glamour photos! Wow!
She was preceded in death by her parents, husbands Stan, and Gristy, and her son Lowell Johnson. She is survived by daughters Trudy Marie (Dick) Alvord Mt.Vernon, and Lauren Diane (Fred ) Darvill Coupeville, grandsons Shane Young Anchorage, Ak., Preston (Elizabeth) Darvill Salt Lake City,Utah, Sid Darvill Mt. Vernon and Great Grandchildren Kaya, Trystan, and Olive Darvill of Salt Lake City, Utah and extended family including cousins, nephews, and one niece.
At Mom’s request, there will be no service. In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations to your local Humane Society or The American Diabetes Assoc. or Whatcom County Hospice.