Bettejane R. Meals

Bettejane Rose “BJ” Meals died peacefully at her home in Easton, MD, on Sunday, June 23, 2002. She was 72. Born in Harrisburg, PA, on July 20, 1929, she was the daughter of the late Harvey John Rose and Bessie Harper Lyle. After the death of her mother at a young age, BJ spent her formative years in Timmons, Ontario, Canada where her uncle managed the Ankerite Gold Mine. While living in Canada, BJ developed a life-long love for ice-skating and made many dear friendships that she maintained throughout her lifetime. BJ returned to the United States and attended school at Johns Hopkins that led to a long career in health care, predominantly at Memorial Hospital at Easton. During her career as an aide and as a technician, she worked in the X-ray Department, the Maternity Ward, the Surgical Ward, and in the Same-Day Surgery Center. BJ was the first ever X-Ray Technician at Memorial Hospital at Easton in the early 1950’s. BJ was a member of St. Mark’s United Methodist Church in Easton, Ladies of the Elks Easton Lodge #1622, the American Legion Auxiliary, and the VFW Auxiliary. BJ also volunteered with the R.I.S.E. Program in the Talbot County Public Schools, reading to young children at White Marsh Elementary School in Trappe. Married for 25 years to Stanley K. Curry, they had six children together. BJ married Kenneth R. Meals on July 26, 1980, and they have lived, laughed and loved together these last 22 years. Preceded in death by her son, Kenneth Alan Curry, BJ is survived by her beloved husband Ken; five children, and three step-children: Lisa Kim Curry of Salisbury, MD, Philip S. Curry and his fiancé Tammy Jones of Easton, MD, Barry K. Curry and his wife Carolyn of Salisbury, MD, Paul L. Curry and his wife Zanna of Sherman Oaks, CA, Stanley K. “Chip” Curry, III and his wife Kathryn of Bel Air, MD, Diane L. Gilbert and her husband Robert of Moraga, CA, Kenneth J. Meals and his wife Gina of Singapore and Patricia N. Mason and her husband Ron of Plant City, FL. Also surviving are her 15 loving grandchildren (with another on the way) and BJ’s beloved brother, Andrew Lyle of Jacksonville, FL. A memorial service will be held on Monday July 1, 2002, at 11:00 AM at St. Mark’s United Methodist Church in Easton. Private burial will be at Woodlawn Memorial Park in Easton. Memorial donations may be made to the Talbot Hospice Foundation, 586 Cynwood Dr., Easton, MD 21601.