In Memory of Jacqueline Mehr
Walter and Jacqueline Mehr showed gracious and generous hospitality to Orv and me. I came to Camp Deerpark in 1990, and Orv came in 1993. It was wonderful to have welcoming neighbors when moving to a new home. And they introduced us to their friends as they were happy to know us. One friend became my hairdresser.
Jacqueline’s spirit and liveliness kept people around her on the move. While I was raised to have a more retiring personality, I’ve always been drawn to women like her who “let out” their thoughts and passions.
I enjoyed delicious food prepared and presented by Jacqueline in their fascinating kitchen and dining area. One fall and winter I joined Ken Scheller, a young man from New York City who came to camp a few days every week to houseclean, for dinner on Friday evenings with the Mehrs. Afterwards Jacqueline, Ken and I would play Scrabble. I bought a “Scrabble” Christmas ornament and every year when I hang it on our tree, I remember Jacqueline
.Jacqueline had a love for animals. She was concerned about our ducks on the pond in the winter. And she felt so sorry for our one lonely goat. I had larger concerns about Camp Deerpark’s needs and didn’t seek out a second goat.
“Love came softly” for Orv and me. One evening in the early part of acknowledging our special friendship, we took Walter and Jacqueline out to eat. Jacqueline insisted on sitting in the front seat because of possible car-sickness. Orv expressed some resistance to her demand but then allowed me to sit in the back seat with Walter so we didn’t have to let out our secret. When Jacqueline learned that Orv and I were going to see “Christmas Spectacular” at Radio City Music Hall, she asked to go with us. This time we gave her a firm no. Later this became a funny story that all of us shared.
We were honored to have Walter and Jacqueline attend our wedding on Staten Island. They took us from the wedding to the Newark Airport on their way back to Westbrookville. On the way to the airport for our honeymoon I remembered that we had not signed our marriage certificate. Walter was amused that Orv assured me that we were married because Lester (Orv’s brother-in-law, who married us) had said so.
Jacqueline showed love and appreciation for my mother. That was special for me.
Our lives have been enriched by knowing Jacqueline. We will carry her in our hearts and memories for the rest of our lives.
—Written by Marian Egli, former New York City Mennonite, camp director from 1990–1995
Related Entries
Share:
What Are You Tapped Into?
Yesterday we began tapping maple trees, officially opening maple syrup making season at Camp Deerpark! Last year, the transition kept us from producing syrup, so it feels great to be back to it. Starting off, however, has been a bit of a challenge since things are pretty arctic around here. The entire ground is covered…
What Does it Mean to be Spirit-Led with Pastor Mark Perri
One small contribution I can make is to share story with you. This could be valuable in several ways: First, I’m coming to the Mennonites from the outside — from non-denominational GenX “simple/ organic/ emergent church“. Sometimes people coming from outside-in have a helpful perspective for those trying to move from inside-out. Second, as an…
2025 NYC LMC District Call Schedule
Mark these dates in your calendar if you’re part of the NYC LMC District and want to attend the English-language fellowship and resourcing calls led by Bishop Hyacinth Stevens: January 27th – 6:30 PM February 24th – 6:30 PM March 31st – 6:30 PM April 28th – 6:30 PM May 19th – 6:30 PM June 30th…
Winter: Life Under the Surface
On the surface, winter with its cracking and cold seems like the enemy of life. Everything sleeps as though dead, and Camp — quiet and empty — sits waiting. But under the surface, winter is revealed to be a friend to life, not an enemy. In the deep frost, God opens the soil for Spring’s…
Peace Making Presents
This is Session 4 of the Prince of Peace: Jesus and Peacebuilding from the Election to the Holidays webinar series. Advent celebrates the central fact that God began building peace with us by giving a Gift. Following this example, gifts are a powerful tool for peacebuilding in our lives, relationships, and organizations. We’ll explore how…
Pain and Need Aren’t Partisan
This is Session 3 of the Prince of Peace: Jesus and Peacebuilding from the Election to the Holidays webinar series. (Click here to sign up for session invites.) Sometimes people seem so different from us, we automatically assume we can’t connect. Or, we tried to connect on some level, but it quickly became way too…
What is A Mission Statement?
On the LMC NYC District call this month, Dr. Tiffany shared critical information on what is and what is not a mission statement. This is critical as we think about moving the congregations in our district forward towards mission, optimize the mission already underway, and align together on the LMC mission as district churches. In…
Advent Calendar
Count Down the Days to Christmas with Camp! Jesus is the center of our Camp community. Let’s celebrate together the coming of the One who brings peace and salvation and life everlasting to humanity. We’ll be posting each day to Facebook and Instagram stories, but you can get our daily post in your email inbox!…
A Spirit-filled Christmas: The Joy in Judgement
The end of this week (Black Friday) marks the beginning of the Christmas season for many. (Though the big-box retailers had stuff out before Halloween, can you believe it!?!) For our culture, this season is a time of Joy. We gather for feasting and presents and the delighting of children. And despite the growing chill…
From Inner Peace to the Holiday Table
This is Session 2 of the Prince of Peace: Jesus and Peacebuilding from the Election to the Holidays webinar series. (Click here to sign up for session invites.) This session is about what we do when the people around us challenge our peace. It requires us to draw on something deeper in order to continue…
- « Previous
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- Next »