Mary Frances Meekison

Mary Frances (Shaff) Meekison, 98, of Napoleon, Ohio went Home on the morning of March 5, 2018. Mary Fran was born as an only child of Frank and Elizabeth (Keyes) Shaff on April 9, 1919. She attended Napoleon Schools, and Saint Mary's College, Notre Dame, Indiana. She married David Meekison, who preceded her in death on July 19, 2010. From her youth on, Mary Fran Meekison used the Shamrock emblem as a sign of faith and concern for others. In addition to her family, Mary Fran claimed she had three loves to which she was dedicated: family and friends in Napoleon Ohio, St. Augustine Church and Saint Mary's College, Notre Dame, Indiana. Mary Fran began writing for publications in the late 1940's. Two decades later she took up photography and won many awards. In 1963, Meekison wrote CANAL DAYS TO MODERN WAYS for Napoleon, Ohio's Centennial Celebration. Little had been written about the town in prior decades. When Napoleon celebrated its Sesquicentennial, Mary Fran Meekison was asked to produce a book entitled CANAL DAYS TO MODERN WAYS REVISITED. Both she and Russ Patterson, another town Historian, contributed photos for this production. For her community church, St. Augustine's, Mary Fran compiled its first history in commemoration of the Church's Sesquicentennial, 1983. At the time, Roman Catholic, Rome Italy Vatican II sent out orders to remove statues and strip ornamental features of the world-wide Church. Upset, traditional parishioners asked Meekison to seek historical status from the National Trust in Washington, D.C. As a result, the historic integrity of the interior of the Church is preserved to this day. With the love of literature, and work as a published writer and photographer, Meekison gave 25 years of service to the Napoleon Public Library. With varied contributions to her community, Mary Fran Meekison was chosen Citizen of the Year for the Napoleon Area in 1990. She was the first woman to be Napoleon Citizen of the Year. Recognizing Meekison's outstanding community service and contributions to Saint Mary's College, Mary Fran was awarded the St. Mary's President's medal at College Commencement in 1991. The citation reads in part: "As a writer, editor and photographer for a variety of periodicals in her community. She served as a Saint Mary's College Alumnae Board Member. She was a Saint Mary's College Class Reporter for Courier, the alumnae magazine for 66 years. She has been a true asset to her hometown of Napoleon, Ohio as well as St. Mary's College." For her efforts, Mary Fran Meekison received the annual President's Medal at Saint Mary's Commencement in 1991. In 2001, Meekison was named to the Saint Mary's Athletic Hall of Fame. In addition to a marriage of 71 years, Mary Fran Meekison's family efforts include her three children: Maureen (Meekison) Houppert, David F. Meekison, Beth Ann Meekison; five grandchildren: Elizabeth (Houppert) Abi Mershed, Anne Marie Houppert, David Houppert, Patrick Meekison, Christopher Meekison and great-grandchildren. A Mass of Christian Burial celebrating the life of Mary Frances Meekison will be at 11:00 am on Monday, March 12, 2018 at St. Augustine Catholic Church, Napoleon with Father Dan Borgelt officiating. A graveside service will be held at St. Augustine Catholic Cemetery with a light luncheon to follow in the church basement. Please no food or flowers. Memorial donations may be made to the Henry County Historical Society, 229 West Clinton Street, Napoleon Ohio 43545 or Saint Augustine Catholic Church, 221 East Clinton Street, Napoleon Ohio 43545. Messages may be sent to Post Office Box 253, Napoleon, Ohio 43545. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.rodenbergerfuneralhome.com

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Mary Frances Meekison

April 9, 1919 - March 5, 2018