Jane Meierdiercks

Jane Bicknell Meierdiercks August 31, 1922 - March 30, 2017 The Earth said, "Goodbye," to a woman quick to laugh, quick to forgive, and quick to envelope you in a hug. She never met a person whose life story she didn't know within five minutes and never turned down a grilled cheese sandwich or a caramel latte. Her love of kitties and books was legendary. Jane was born in San Francisco, California on August 31, 1922 and adopted by Harry C. and Nell Bicknell of Chico, California a few days later. As an only child, her early years in Chico were spent cultivating multiple, lifelong friendships in and around her home on Third Street. In her teen years, Jane and her parents moved to the apartment upstairs at the H. C. Bicknell Funeral Home, now Brusie Funeral Home's Bidwell Chapel. In 1938, Jane's father built a home on Vallombrosa Avenue across from the One Mile, where he died just two weeks after the family moved in. Jane mourned his passing for the rest of her life. Jane and her Dad shared father-daughter "dates," from the time she was a toddler to the time of his death, going out to dinner and a movie every Friday night. Jane enjoyed fishing, hunting, and camping with her Dad, as well as accompanying him on his daily errands. During her childhood, Jane's extended family included her grandmother, Matilda "Meemaw" Collins, and her mother's sisters, Bessie, Aggie, and Margie ("Marnie"). In the eighth-grade, Jane was awarded the American Legion medal for "all-around-girl," and as a teenager, she was active in Job's Daughters, Bethel 82 and served as Honored Queen. She later became Guardian of Bethel 82 when her daughter, Lori, rose through the ranks and served as Honored Queen. Jane attended Chico High School, where she was a yell-leader and enjoyed an active social life. After graduating, Jane attended Chico State College (as it was then called) for two years before transferring to Stanford University for her junior and senior years, majoring in Speech and Drama. Jane joined the Red Cross and became a Grey Lady, touring hospitals in the Bay Area where wounded soldiers were being treated. After graduating from Stanford, Jane met Sankey Hall, who was stationed at Chico Air Base, on a blind date. They married soon after and moved to Tucson, Arizona, where Jane worked at a radio station. Following World War II, Sankey and Jane returned to Chico and raised their two children. They divorced in 1972, and Jane married John W. ("Bill") Meierdiercks in 1973, the love of her life. She was Bill's "Ding." They golfed, traveled, and enjoyed their life together to the fullest. In 1998, after living her entire life in Chico, Jane and Bill moved to Salem, Oregon to be near her children. Jane's first phone call upon arriving in Salem was from a member of P.E.O. Chapter CQ, inviting her to a meeting. Jane became an active member of that chapter, and in 2008 Jane received her 50-year P.E.O. membership pin. Jane was a charter member of Chico's Butte Creek Country Club and served as president of the board in 1980, the first female to hold that position. She was an active member of P.E.O. Chapter DS and later Chapter VB in Chico, serving as President, in addition to multiple officer positions. She was also a substitute teacher for many years and a member of St. John's Episcopal Church serving on the Vestry and Altar Guild. She was active in an assortment of community organizations. Jane never turned down an opportunity to participate in a Bible study or bridge game. She was also an ace blackjack player and sometimes played at the tournament level in Reno. Jane is survived by her husband, Bill, who took amazing care of her during their life together. He adored the air she breathed. She is also survived by her daughter, Lori Cole of Salem, Oregon; son, David Hall of Portland, Oregon; and step-daughter, Maryn (Stephen) Lewis of Vista, California; and her beloved granddaughter, Aimee Hall Fuszard of Truckee, Ca. Aimee was a shining star in Jane's life. When Aimee gifted Jane with her two great-grandchildren, Olivia Jane and Oscar, Jane was over the moon ecstatic. The family would like to thank the staff at Brookdale River Road Assisted Living in Keizer, Oregon for their exceptional love and care of Jane in her last years. Their compassion and attention to her were stellar. And to the team at Serenity Hospice of Salem Oregon, thank you for your incredible kindness and empathy. A service to herald Jane's transition will be held Wednesday, April 12, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. at Brusie Funeral Home's Bidwell Chapel, 341 W. 3rd Street. A viewing will be held Tuesday, April 11, from 5:00 - 8:00 p.m. also at Bidwell Chapel. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Jane's name may be made to P.E.O. Chapter CQ, Salem, Oregon; St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Dallas, Oregon; or any humane society of your choice, in care of Brusie Funeral Home, 626 Broadway, Chico, CA 95926.