Mary Anne Meissner

January 27, 1931 – February 1, 2025

Sacramento, California – Mary Anne Meissner was born on January 27, 1931 in Riverside, New Jersey.  Mary was the only child of William James Sculley and Margaret Jane Sculley nee Cooper.  Mary had three step siblings, Marion Cooper, Earle Cooper and Robert Cooper.  The family resided in Palmyra, New Jersey.  In 1934, when Mary was three, she and her mother visited relatives in Castlederg, County of Tyrone, Northern Ireland.  Her mother had converted   to Catholicism after meeting Bill and the religious and political conflicts in Ireland were part of her family history.  Mary’s Irish heritage was very strongly felt and lived with Mary throughout her life, including naming their vacation home at Lake Almanor, California “Sculley House”.

Mary’s parents relocated to Los Angeles, California in St. Agnes Catholic parish when Mary started high school.  Her older siblings remained in New Jersey.  During high school, she met her future husband Jack Meissner and after high school, right before Jack enlisted in the Navy and was deployed to Korea, were married on December 30, 1950 in Los Angeles.  During the four years Jack was in the Navy, they had their first 3 children, John, Theresa and Timothy. Following the war, they remained in Los Angeles where Jack started an electrical contracting business and they had 3 more children, Ann, Eric and Alan.  The children attended St. Brendan grade school.  In 1965, the family moved to Sacramento and settled into Arden Park in St. Ignatius Parish where the children attended St. Ignatius grade school, Loretto High School and Jesuit High School.  In 1972, twenty years after their first child was born, Mary gave birth to their 7^th and final child, James (Jay).

Mary was a person with tremendous energy, a natural happiness, and a spiritual and caring nature.  Her commitment to her Catholic faith, family values, husband and children was exceptional and is her legacy.  She was involved in various organizations at St. Ignatius such as the program mentoring adults entering the Catholic faith and scripture study classes.  She also brought Holy Communion to the homebound in the parish and participated in the art docent program for some of her children’s classes.  During the children’s high school years and beyond, Mary actively supported Jack in his construction business.

Mary had a tremendous influence on her children and grandchildren and was a wonderful role model for how to live a life well done. Mary is survived by her children John Meissner (Ellie) (Sacramento), Theresa Marshall (Barney) (Longmeadow, MA), Tim Meissner (Mary) (San Diego), Ann Quigley (Emmett) (San Francisco), Eric Meissner (Jennifer) (Sacramento), Alan Meissner (Cherie) (Spokane, WA) and Jay Meissner (Julie) (Lafayette), plus 19 grandchildren and 19 great grandchildren, with more great grandchildren to come.

Mary’s celebration of life will start with a Viewing at 5:00 p.m., Rosary starting at 5:30 p.m. and Vigil Service beginning at 6:00 p.m. at Presentation Parish on Friday, February 28, 2025.  Her Funeral Mass will be at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 1, 2025 at Presentation Parish located at 4123 Robertson Ave, Sacramento, CA 95821.  Mary and Jack were supporters of the Dominican Sisters (sistersofmary.org)  and Maryknoll Fathers (maryknollsociety.org) and donations may be made to those organizations. Flowers should be delivered to Presentation Parish during business hours on or before Friday, February 28^th.