Dora Carolyn Meeker

Dora Carolyn Kiernan Meeker passed away on Sunday, June 16, 2024 in Peoria, Arizona. Born to Charles Edward Kiernan and Grace Olive Anderson Kiernan in Newark, New Jersey on November 1, 1927. Her sister, Dr. Patricia Kiernan Lacefield predeceased her.

Dora was a 1945 graduate of St. Mary's Catholic High School in Elizabeth, New Jersey and also attended her beloved St. Leo's in Irvington, New Jersey. Immediately after high school she worked at Prudential Insurance Company in Newark, New Jersey as an issue clerk. She was asked to train the new guy, who turned out to be the love of her life, Harmon Meeker. Early in her career, Dora traveled to the west coast to open a new Prudential office for which she met incredible people and made lifelong friendships. 

Soon after Harmon and Dora were married they moved to Newport, Rhode Island where Harmon served on active duty in the Navy. Dora thoroughly embraced the military life and was always very nostalgic for their years in Newport. After two years, Harmon, Dora and Kathy went to New Jersey where they welcomed five more kids. Their first home was in South Plainfield and they later moved the family and raised their six kids in Randolph, New Jersey.

Dora began a new career as a district advisor for the Daily Record newspaper. Her excellent organizational skills, aptitude for mentoring young people, outgoing personality and no-nonsense way of handling problems provided excellent skills for this demanding job. The job allowed the family of eight to take incredible vacations to California, the Jersey Shore and Europe. 

Harmon and Dora relocated to Colts Neck, New Jersey in 1977 when Harmon was transferred. They embraced an almost empty-nest and with one child left at home, and their two mother's to help, Harmon and Dora began what would be years of travel at home and abroad. This continued after their move to Peoria, Arizona in 1992, when Harmon retired. They eventually met their goal of traveling to all fifty states and over fifty countries.

It was in Peoria, Arizona where Harmon and Dora came upon the St. Elizabeth Ann Seton parish. Dora knew the moment she stepped into the church that this would be their place of worship. Dora was a founder of the Ladies’ Auxiliary for the Knights of Columbus where she raised money for numerous charities including homeless Vets, battered women, cloistered nuns, various schools and unwed mothers. She was a member of the funeral ministry, crocheted lap blankets for nursing home residents and served as a hospital volunteer.

In addition to traveling and giving back to the community, Dora also loved playing cards, researching the family tree, and seasonly attending theatre, and football games of her beloved Cardinal's and Scarlet Knights. Dora was a devout follower of St. Jude and would tell everyone and anyone of all the miracles she had in her life as a result of St. Jude. To those who knew her, and even those she just met in line at a store, people knew she was the go-to person if anyone needed St. Jude's help and Dora would pray for all who asked. 

Dora enjoyed life to the fullest and never took for granted what a wonderful life she had. She spoke adoringly of her childhood, her life as a young adult, her early years with Harmon and especially her years with her six children, her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She loved to tell stories and had many, many to share and she never lost her enthusiasm for telling those stories. Her love for travel, adventure and fun were instilled in all her children and grandchildren.

Dora is survived by her daughter Kathleen, sons Rick and his wife Theresa, Jim and his wife Loretta, John and his wife Pam, daughters Nancy, Jeanne and her husband Bob; grandchildren Angela, Natalie, Jesse, Jenna, Haley, Jacob, Lora, and Nathan; and great grandchildren Gavin, Kevin, Raider, Brynn, Nina and Naomi.