Catherine Pearl Meister's Obituary
Catherine Pearl Meister
November 29, 2023
Grand Terrace, CA
Catherine Pearl Meister, a pillar of the San Bernardino community, passed away peacefully at her home in Grand Terrace, CA on November 29, at the age of 87, while surrounded by her loving children, grandchildren, and friends. Her remarkable life was dedicated to serving others leaving an indelible mark on the hearts of those who knew her.
Catherine, known as a devoted Inland Empire resident, played a pivotal role in various community organizations. She served as a distinguished member of the San Bernardino County Grand Jury, for election integrity. Her commitment extended to roles in the Juvenile Justice & Delinquency Commission, the Daughters of the American Revolution, the Redlands Tea Party, and the Rotary Club of San Bernardino which showcased her dedication to community service.
Among her numerous contributions, Catherine was a compassionate supporter of CASA, Foster Parents, and Helping Hands. She was a Court Appointed Special Advocate for juveniles. After losing a granddaughter to an amoeba, she founded and was involved in the Team Koral Reef (TKR) Amoeba Awareness Foundation and a counselor at Cedar House Rehabilitation Center.
Catherine’s impact was felt on the business front as well owning and operating El Burrito Restaurants. She was a founding member of the Baseline Business Association and the first female president of the Redlands Chamber of Commerce. Her outstanding achievements were acknowledged with prestigious awards, including the Athena Award for Outstanding Businesswoman and the Ralph Nichols Award for her exceptional service to the community.
Catherine’s journeys began at the age of 16 when she left home for Chicago, where she pursued her education and met her soon-to-be husband, Harry Charles Nece, at a Military Ball where she was crowned queen.
Despite facing early hardships, including the tragic loss of her husband in an auto accident, Catherine displayed incredible resilience. She put herself through secretary school and worked tirelessly to provide for her three children, Creighton Nece, Cathy Nece, and Theodore Nece.
Later in life, Catherine found love again when she met and married Jim Meister. The couple moved to Rialto. Her career in education continued as she worked as an administrative assistant at Eisenhower High School. Together, Catherine and Jim expanded their family with the arrival of their daughter, Sybil Meister.
As the family business, the El Burrito, started to grow, opening multiple locations Catherine transitioned her focus to her true passion, helping people and enhancing the community. Her unwavering commitment to philanthropy and her empathetic nature became the cornerstone of her long and impactful career of community service.
In addition to her remarkable community contributions, Catherine cultivated a vibrant life filled with love for her family. She was always surrounded by her grandkids and grown children at her home which was the hub for family and friends to gather. Her resilience and strong will and determination inspired all who knew her. She was revered and looked up to as a role model by her 4 children and 11 grandkids. She was truly the Matriarch of her family. She loved literature and her passion for gardening was evident in her beautiful flower gardens and the bounty from multiple avocado and fruit trees that graced her property. Remarkably, Catherine continued to prune and trim and was seen picking fruit from her ladder well into her middle 80s, a testament to her enduring dedication and green thumb.
Catherine was a voracious reader, she read the local paper and the Wall Street Journal daily over coffee and read the bible at night.. Catherine has 10 great grandchildren, and she was an active grandmother and great grandmother Her Catholic faith was extremely important to her as well as attending mass frequently. Staying informed about the world around her and her commitment to knowledge led to lively and enlightening conversations she shared with friends and family.
Catherine Pearl Meister’s legacy will endure through her children and grandchildren and the countless lives she touched and the positive transformations she spearheaded. Her contributions to the Inland Empire and beyond will forever be remembered, honoring a life well-lived in service to others.
Funeral services for Catherine Meister will be held at Bobbitt Memorial Chapel in San Bernardino, on Monday, December 18, 2023. Visitation hours will be held from 10 am to 11am, a chapel service will begin at 11 am; Catherine will be laid to rest at Montecito Memorial Park in Colton at 1:30pm.
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