To Mary C. Meekins life was a journey and to her the most important part of this journey was her family. She traveled in many circles and to various places to discover all this world has to offer. Each day was a new adventure to explore not just the world around us but also the worlds of education and the arts. She celebrated each day and blessed us all with her inspirational love of life.

Mary a long-time resident of Ormond Beach passed away on Wednesday May 5th surrounded by loved ones. She died just days before her 75th birthday. Mary was deeply loved by her family and friends and will be truly missed by those who knew her. Some may have known her as an accountant some as an artist some in political circles and still others in her work as a tireless volunteer. She touched many lives in many different areas but her work ethic and joyful spirit all got its start back in her early days in Massachusetts.

Mary was born on May 8 1929 to Italian immigrants Frank and Josephine Navarria Ciulla of Lawrence MA. Though facing adversity and hardship during the early days of her life Mary made some lifelong friends and lasting memories while living on her own in Lawrence. Mary met her future husband during this time at a company ball. She was married to Melvin C. Meekins on March 1 1959 and they moved to Ormond Beach in August 1964. Her life flourished in the warm tropical sun where she raised her three children and watched her family grow with the joyful addition of six grandchildren.

She was an active member of the community in a variety of schools and organizations. She was a Sunday School and Bible School Teacher at the First United Methodist Church in Ormond Beach. She also worked with the PTA was a past president of GE Wives Club member of GE Bridge Group Den Mother for the Cub Scouts and Cookie Chairman of the Volusia County Girl Scouts.

After raising her children into their teens she decided to continue her education and pursue her ambition to earn her college degree. She received an Associate of Arts degree from Daytona Beach Community College. She then decided to enter the field of accounting and at the age of 53 graduated from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting. She was a member of Alpha Beta Kappa NNA National Association of Accounting NATP National Association of Tax Practitioners and Toast Mistress Club. In 1986 Mary decided to start her own business and founded Meekins Financial Service. She was Secretary of the Ormond Beach Republican Club Past Treasurer of the Atlantic Federated Republican Women?s Club and Past Treasurer of the Executive Committee of the Volusia country Republican Club. She was also President of the Fortune Seekers Investment Club.

In September 1990 Mary began a challenging era of her life. She became the recipient of a kidney transplant but instead of slowing her down this only furthered her resolve to live each day to the fullest. She even joined the Transplant Support Group. With the mobility her new kidney provided she once again began to travel. She enjoyed trips to Europe the Bahamas Hawaii California and the Grand Canyon. One trip in particular was very special. She journeyed to Italy to spend time with her relatives who still reside there.

In 1998 Mary began to unleash her artistic ability and started to express herself through painting. She impressed her teachers as well as her family and friends with her talents. Mary excelled at painting flowers nature scenes and portraits of members of her family. Her love of family came through as she signed each work with the name ""Nonna which in Italian means ?Grandmother.? She later became a member of the Palette & Brush Club of the Halifax Area.

Survivors include her husband of 45 years Melvin; her son Kenneth Meekins; her daughters Beverly Steele and Sandra Sedlak; their spouses and six grandchildren all of the Orlando area; her sister Santina Mangano and her brother Constantino Ciulla both of Massachusetts.