Date/Time: Nov. 14, 12pm noon
Place: Kirsten’s home (Merv’s daughter)
11318 233rd St N.E. Arlington, WA
(Just south of Mt. Vernon)
MEADOWS, Mervyn Roy
Born May 7 1941 Norway House MB
Died October 24 2015 Saanichton BC
at home, due to complications of pneumonia; leaves mourning his death, and knowing gratitude for his life: his daughters Annemarie (Mike Turner) of Atlanta GA and Kirsten (Jeff Stinardo) of Arlington WASH; his grandchildren (Katelyn, Quinn, Sophie, Olivia and Chloe); his sisters, Lea Meadows (Jeremy Mortis) and Alison Mitchell and her son Brett of Calgary AB. Predeceased by sister Helen (1993), father Rev Harry Meadows (1999), mother Elsie (2000), nephew Todd (2001), and brother Allan (2014). With a Master’s Degree in American History, Mervyn served Canada as a career diplomat in Ottawa, New York City, Zambia, the former Soviet Union and Denmark. He was the only western diplomat in Lithuania when the Russian army rose up and began killing civilians. He was used by the Lithuanian government as a conduit to the West and was awarded the Medal of Honour by President Landsbergis. Mervyn served in Moscow including the time of the 1991 August Putsch. Jogging very early one day he saw the main boulevards lined with tanks. Deciding to carry on directly to work, he was the first to alert Canada and thus the West of the attempted coup. In 1992 he received a Foreign Service Award for “exceptional achievements”. Mervyn was a very private man and fiercely independent. While he did not often speak of what was in his heart, he loved his family dearly. Daughter Kirsten speaks for us all saying “I’ll miss his razor sharp wit, brilliant mind, and megawatt smile”. For further information contact Kirsten (ki******@ms*.com ) or Lea (le*@ta****.ca ).
Merv began his radio career at CFPR Prince Rupert. He worked as News Director at CHFM-FM Calgary (1964-66), and was in news at CKWX Vancouver from 1966 to 73. When his diplomatic career ended he retired to Saanichton B.C. on Vancouver Island.
Long story, Kirsten. I’m pretty sure your Dad is the same Merv Meadows I knew very well in Calgary in l964/65. On the radio today they were talking about Arlene Meadows, and that brought back tons of memories. So I googled, and there are just too many coincidences that this is not the same Merv. I am not very computer savvy, so won’t know if you get this message. I live near Toronto, Ontario if you want to contact me. Ingrid Bassett (nee Franke)