MANSFIELD ~ “Things have a way of working out.” That was Joan Meese’s philosophy. Whether working on her flower gardens, an art project or her public service, she knew that effort, plus time, resulted in reward.

            Her sage advice is but one of her legacies, as Joan Watson Meese passed away November 2, 2009 from Winchester Terrace. She was 86.

            Born Joan Watson on December 12, 1922 in Danville, OH to Tod and Eldora (DeLong) Watson, she moved to Mansfield at a young age and was graduated from Mansfield Senior High School in 1941.  It was there at Mansfield Senior where Joan caught the eye of upperclassman Robert “Bob” Meese.  They were married April 30, 1944 in the former South Main Street E.U.B. Church.

            Described as quiet and reserved, Joan embraced motherhood, and had no desire to re-enter the workforce once they were blessed with children. She really excelled at the home arts, and was such a loving and attentive wife and mother.

            A skilled seamstress, Joan made many of her daughters’ clothes, as well as slip covers, curtains, and doll clothes.

            Artistic and resourceful, Joan was a good cook, and her escalloped potatoes were “world renowned” ~ made with plenty of butter! During the late 1950s, she helped The Tappan Company introduce the microwave range. Following certain test recipes, Joan reported back to the company her successes (and failures).

                       She attended Ohio Wesleyan University as a teen and later she returned to college in her 70s. At The Ohio State University - Mansfield she took art classes that gave her the confidence to express and create beauty in so many forms. She threw pots on a potter’s wheel, and sculpted a bit, but by far her favorite artistic outlet was working creatively with flowers.

            Joan was truly an artist with a trowel and her gardening gloves. She had a special talent of designing her annuals gardens to mature differently year after year. She “painted” with petunias and zinnias and impatiens, and always featured stunning red geraniums.  She and her lifelong friends in the Mansfield Garden Club, would plan and plant elaborate displays of color for Mansfield’s Central Park.

            For many years, Joan volunteered at MedCentral Mansfield Hospital, initiating the “art cart” ~ visiting patients with a myriad of prints and paintings, allowing each to select the pieces for their room ~ and later staffed the surgical family waiting desk.

            Combining her artistic talents and green thumb, Joan had a keen eye for flower arranging, and regardless of her schedule, she always prepared entries for the garden club’s Garden Shows.

            Joan was a Fellow of the Richland County Foundation,  and a member of the Nomad Club, the Mansfield Art Center, the Mansfield Sailing Club, and the First Presbyterian Church.

            A most gracious and humble spirit, Joan personified the genteel classic lady…always more ready to focus the spotlight on her husband and family, than on herself.

She is survived by her husband of 65 years Robert Meese; daughters and sons-in-law Marilyn & Henry “Chip” Hixson of Columbus, Deborah & Ludwig Schenk of Mansfield, Jane Meese of Mansfield, and a son David O. Meese of Mansfield; grandchildren Gretchen (Mike) Pfeifer of Galion, Marilyn (Brian) Pcionek of Brunswick, Jennifer (Tom) Plaisted of Mansfield, Henry H. Hixson, IV of Columbus, and Jane (Scot) Erbe of Dublin, OH; eight great grandchildren; and brothers and sisters-in-law A.J. & Joyce Watson of Indianapolis, IN, and Don R. & Naomi Watson of Mansfield.

She was preceded in death by a daughter Kathleen “Katie” Meese in 1959; and brothers James T. Watson and Charles V. Watson.

The Meese family will receive friends Friday, November 6, 2009 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the Finefrock Chapel of the Marion Avenue Snyder Funeral Home, 350 Marion Avenue (Former Finefrock Funeral Home), where her memorial service will be held Saturday at 11 a.m. The Rev. Dennis Allison will officiate. A private family burial will be in Mansfield Memorial Park.

Her family wishes to acknowledge the attentive and loving care Joan received from the staff of Winchester Terrace, Dr. Nyan Win, Dr. Norman Barbone and Dr. Leonard Quick.

If desired, contributions in Mrs. Meese’s memory may be made to Richland County Foundation, Rotary Adult Day Care or MedCentral Foundation, and may be made at the funeral home.

            Condolences to the Meese family may be made online by visiting:  http://www.snyderfuneralhomes.com/