Meredith Anne De Filippis

Meredith is/was a very special person. She spent her childhood in Albany Oregon, the youngest of three sisters Muriel, Iris and Meredith. They were fiercely loyal, woe be it to anyone who tried to come between them. They grew up amongst loggers and millworkers. Perhaps that is where they got their toughness. She came to San Jose in the early fifties and graduated from San Jose High. After several jobs she went to work for Lockheed. She proved that a woman can succeed in a man’s world without sleeping with the boss. She worked at Lockheed for thirty three years starting as a lowly clerk to a budget analyst salary grade nine. She took her work very seriously, on several occasions it took more than one person to replace her and Meredith was known for her tenacity. There was time when Meredith was working on a secret program in which she was supposed to receive copies of all transmissions from a certain location; the kids running the communications desk were forever failing to send her copies. She called and told them she was on her way. The girl said “Mean Meredith is coming to chew us out.” By the time she retired even the vice president’s were calling her “Mean Meredith.” In spite of her stern appearance she was a softie when it came to animals and small children. Even going so far as to adopt what later turned out to be the neighbors three legged cat shortly after moving into her and Keith’s current home.

In retirement Meredith enjoyed vacationing with her husband Keith, her favorite locations were the Oregon coast where she visited most often and her condo in Mazatlan. She also enjoyed cruising in the Caribbean, Mexican Riviera, and Alaska. In reality she was a warm and loving person whom enjoyed life to the fullest. As the dementia overtook her she remained upbeat and cheerful. Much like a mischievous child hiding things all over the house and hoarding silverware from the local eateries, she outsmarted us all in many ways and never skipped a beat when it came to back seat driving. She would like you to know that she had a good life and although she will miss all of your shining faces, she is happy to be back with her mother and beloved sister.

Meredith’s family wishes to thank the many people who worked very hard to make her remaining days as pleasant as possible. The list is long and varied it includes loved ones, family friends, neighbors, professional people, waitresses and complete strangers. The neighbor lady who took Meredith for walks, did her hair and took her to the hairdresser. The waiters and waitresses who overlooked her kleptomania and quirks. The professional health care people of Kaiser and hospice. The total stranger who put his hand on my shoulder and said my mother is like that. Last but not least all of you who were so supportive and thoughtful.