Edmonds Kiwanis presents special gift to Mary Van Meter’s family

A.P. Van Meter and daughter Christie with the portrait of Edmonds’ 2012 Citizen of the Year, the late Mary Van Meter. (Photo courtesy of Edmonds Kiwanis)

The Edmonds Kiwanis Club, which sponsors the annual Edmonds Citizen of the Year award, on Tuesday presented a special gift to the family of the late Mary Van Meter, the 2012 winner.

Ms. Van Meter’s husband A.P. and daughter Christie were on hand to accept a portrait of their late wife and mother, which had been sketched by Greg Urban. The presentation was made by Edmonds Kiwanis Club President John Rutter during the club’s regular Tuesday meeting Dec. 4.

“It was a very moving and emotional presentation that the family was very grateful to have been a part of,” said Paul Jacobsen of the Kiwanis Club. “Mary had been battling cancer when she found out she was the Kiwanis ‘Citizen of the Year’ this last spring. She was ever so hopeful that she would feel well enough to ride in the Edmonds Chamber of Commerce 4th of July parade. It took everything she had….but there she was, waving to the crowd, looking beautiful in the convertible wearing her sun hat.

“Two days later Mary passed away….But her spirit lives on and she will be forever remembered for her kindness and her gift of community caring and service as the Kiwanis Club of Edmonds ‘Citizen of the Year,'” Jacobsen said.

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