Mrs. Connie Condon Meier

Mary Joyce “Connie” Meier peacefully passed into God's eternal care March 4, 2018 at Phoenix Senior Living of Albany. Memorial services will be held Saturday, March 10, 2018 at 4:00 PM at St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church. The Rev. Nick Roosevelt will officiate. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service starting at 3:00 PM. Born in Manchester Iowa on December 18 1928, she graduated from Manchester High School at the age of 16 and went to college at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln and graduated with a degree as a registered Nurse April 21 1950. While in college she met Dr. John Meier who was then an officer in the United States Navy. They married on July 14, 1949. After living in various states, they moved to Albany Georgia in 1956 and made this their home. In 1956 Dr. John Meier and Connie opened the first Orthopedic practice at Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital. As a registered Nurse, she was his office nurse and business manager of their Orthopedic Practice for his entire practice. In 1957 she and Dr. Meier helped establish what is now Easter Seals of Southern Georgia, Inc. and started the Amputee Clinic and Crippled Children Services. In this position, they offered services and assistance to thousands of area citizens regardless to their age, race, religion, social or economic background. They recruited Ms. Lois Statem as the first physical therapist for Easter Seals. Dr. Meier was the Medical Director from 1957 thru 1979. Connie was president of the Easter Seal's Guild till 1983. She was especially proud that her children and spouses continued to serve in various capacities for many decades. She was very proud of the Meier – McCall Endowment Board at Easter Seals. Their early and continuing involvement with Easter Seals helped improve the quality of life for literally thousands of individuals and their families and that legacy continues today and will for generations to come. In her 61 years in this community, Connie was very active in her Church and community. She and her husband help start St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church where she served on the Vestry and was an Alter Guild member. On December 30 1984, after 4 years of study, she graduated from The University of the South School of Theology at Suwanee with a degree in Education of Ministries. She offered bible study classes for years to many in Albany and surrounding Area. She was proud to be selected as Dougherty County and Second District Homemaker of the year 1963 and then selected “Albany's Woman of the year 1965”. Also, in 1963 she obtained her private Pilot's License becoming one of the first women in the area to get her flying license. During this time she was a member of Georgia Society for Crippled Children and Adults, The Medical Auxiliary to the Medical Association of Georgia as president of the Albany Charity League. Some of her other involvement included The American Cancer Society, The Red Cross, Goodwill Industries of South Georgia, Darton College Trustee, Board of Directors for Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital, The Dougherty County Library, Honorary Membership by the Medical Association of Georgia, The Albany Garden Club, and was active in the Republican Women's Club. Connie was elected to the Dougherty County Commission, serving District 4 from January 1987 thru December 2002. She was the first Female to be elected as a County Commissioner. In her 16 years as commissioner she served as Chairperson of County Health Committee, member of the Finance Committee, Director of A.C.C.G Board of Directors, Health and Human Services Policy Committee, Albany Tomorrow Inc and member of the National Association of County Commissioner's health Board. She was past recipient of the prestigious A.C.C.G. Emory Green Leadership Award. She was recognized for serving the Albany Area Community Service Board from January 31st 1994 till June 30th 2015 working for Behavioral Health and developmental disability services. During her commission, Albany suffered from the Floods of 1994 and 1996, she was instrumental in getting state and federal assistance to help the Albany area recover and helped to find a more meaningful solution for Albany and Dougherty County to DOT'S decision to remove the beautiful oak tree on Philema Road and Jefferson Street. Connie’s hobbies included farming, gardening, fishing, hunting, traveling, and any sport or activity her children were involved with. Though they had six children, she and her husband always welcomed any friend, neighbor or college acquaintance of their children to their home, farm and family. Connie often said her greatest pride is the many accomplishments of her children, their spouses, and their families, and how they, too, are active in many of the causes she cared about during her life. Left behind to carry on her tradition of caring for others are: Mark Meier and his wife, Jody, and their son, John Meier (Yoko) and great granddaughter Yukichino, and their daughter Graci (Rob) John Meier and his wife, Lacy, their daughters Ashley, and great grandchild Pait, and Mariel (Billy Nelson) Melanie Riles and her husband, Wayne, and their son, Wayne Jr., daughter, Heather (Matt Bernier) and great grandchildren Madelyn and Ellery, and son, Rick. Connie McGee and her husband, Bob, and Connie’s children Jay White (Jessica) great grandson Dylan, and son, Josh White (Fiancé', Christy) and great grandchildren Chloe and Jason. Matt and his wife, Pat Murphy. Mary Lynn Bettinger, grand children Allyssa and Molly. She was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. John A Meier. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church, 4800 Old Dawson Rd., Albany, GA 31721 or to Easter Seals of Georgia, 1906 Palmyra Rd., Albany, GA 31701, or donating your time and efforts to help others as Connie Meier and husband John practiced though out their life. To share your thoughts with the Meier family, you may visit our website at www.kimbrellstern.com.

Mrs. Connie Condon Meier

December 18, 1928 - March 4, 2018