Verna Meger

VERNA MEGER

Cedar Rapids

Verna Meger of Cedar Rapids died Saturday, April 19, 2014, at Levine & Dickson Hospice House in Huntersville, N.C.

Verna Castellacci Meger was born in Staten Island,

N.Y., on June 28, 1938, to Gino and Margaret Castellacci, who ran Mays Hotel located on the old Staten Island boardwalk. She attended St. John's Villa Academy in Staten Island and earned her R.N. degree in 1959 at Kings County Hospital in Brooklyn, N.Y. Verna met her husband of 52 years, Dr. Gene E. Meger, while the two were working at Marine Public Hospital in Staten Island – Gene working as a staff resident and Verna as a staff nurse. Gene and Verna were united in marriage at St. Rock's Catholic Church, Staten Island, on April 29, 1961.

From 1964 through 2014, Gene and Verna resided in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where Gene practiced ophthalmology from 1964 through 1994. They wintered in Fort Myers, Fla., for the past 20 years and also maintained a residence in Lake Delhi, Iowa.

Verna was very active in the community and was dedicated to serving the world around her. She was a longtime committed member of All Saints Catholic Church, St. Monica's church circle and numerous other worthy causes. Verna loved cooking and entertaining, fitness, ballroom dancing and travel (including the annual family vacation at Fair Hills).

Her love for life was infectious. She lived a healthy lifestyle that included a passionate pursuit of exercise and a taste for healthy foods. Walks and picnics on the Florida beaches were among her favorite moments. Her positive attitude and concern for others inspired everyone she met.

If you knew her you loved her.

She was completely devoted to her family and is survived by her husband, Gene; daughter, Laurie Meger Kane and her husband, Joe Kane, of Lake Zurich, Ill.; son, Bob Meger and his wife, Debbie Meger, of Phoenix, Ariz.; daughter, Sheryl Meger Chapman and her husband, Bret Chapman, of Cornelius, N.C.; grandchildren, Alysa and Jake Kane, Alex and Ava Chapman and Mason Meger; sister-in-law, Laurene Meger; sister-in-law, Mary Beredimas; and brother-in-law, Patrick Meger and his spouse, Patricia Meger.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

Guests are invited to join the family for visitation at Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home on Monday from 4 to 6:30 p.m. A vigil service will begin at 4 p.m. with sharing of memories will take place. Friends who wish to participate may do so at that time.

A memorial Mass, officiated by the Rev. John Flaherty, will take place at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, May 13, at All Saints Catholic Church. Family will receive guests starting at 9:30 a.m. A lunch celebrating her life will immediately follow the Mass.

Memorial donations in Verna's name may be directed to Hospice and Pallative Care Charlotte Region. They cared for her with love and compassion in her final weeks.

Hospice & Palliative Care Lake Norman (HLN), 705 Griffith St., Suite 203, Davidson, NC 28036; www.hpccr.org

Online condolences may be submitted at www.cedarmemorial.com under obituaries.