Meredith Ann Brown Hachiya DuBois, 86, died peacefully January 2, 2017, at her Eastmont Towers home after an extended illness with congestive heart failure and COPD. Meredith was born June 29, 1930, in Oxford, Nebraska, to Helen (Tilden) Brown and Francis John ‘Hi’ Brown, DDS. Born at the beginning of the Depression, Meredith’s early memories include her mother using a nail file to push tissue and toilet paper into the window sashes to keep dust from entering the house during dust storms. In 1935, with Hi’s dental practice nearly destitute, the family moved to Genoa, Nebraska, where his parents owned a farm. He re-established his dental practice in Genoa and it eventually prospered.
Meredith enjoyed her childhood in Genoa, where she excelled in music, playing piano and flute. She graduated from Genoa High School in 1948 and entered the University of Nebraska. After her freshman year, she transferred to the Medical Center in Omaha where she earned her RN. While there, she met her first husband, Keay Hachiya. They were married in 1953 in Glenwood, Iowa. Before the birth of her first child, daughter Kim in Omaha in 1955, Meredith worked as a nurse in a pediatrician’s office while Keay finished his medical school residency. She and Keay moved to Lincoln in 1955 where he assumed a position as an anesthesiologist at Bryan Memorial Hospital. Their son, Robert, was born in 1957.
Meredith enjoyed her life as a physician’s wife in Lincoln. She was active in Lancaster County Medical Auxiliary (serving as president). She also was active in groups such as Questers and Heritage League. Her longest and most meaningful membership was with the P.E.O. Sisterhood, into which she was initiated in 1948. She was a charter member of Chapter FW, Lincoln, and served in numerous leadership positions, including president. She was also president of Lincoln Reciprocity Roundtable.
Meredith and Keay divorced in 1997; a subsequent marriage to Marc DuBois ended in divorce in 2000.
Meredith enjoyed fine clothing, traveling, fancy cars (especially Cadillacs) and a sparkling clean house. She liked dogs and had several during her lifetime. Meredith enjoyed music and attended Lincoln Symphony, Abendmusik and other concerts, especially at the Lied Center. She was a lifelong Democrat and was deeply disappointed by the 2016 elections. She also supported many environmental concerns and was a friend of animals and children. She was a member of Eastridge Presbyterian Church and served leadership positions with the Eastridge diaconate and foundation. Meredith was a breast-cancer survivor since 1971.
Meredith is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Kim Hachiya and Tom White (Lincoln); son and daughter-in-law Dr. Robert and Kari Hachiya, Topeka, Kansas, and grandsons Jack and Evan Hachiya, Topeka; nephews and nieces. She was predeceased by her parents; her former spouse, Keay Hachiya; and infant grandchildren Chase and Samuel.
Memorials are suggested to UNMC Nursing Class of 1952/Freddie Powell Scholarship (C/O University of Nebraska Foundation); Eastridge Presbyterian Church; Food Bank of Lincoln/Lancaster County.
The family thanks Horisun Hospice; caregivers Carine Formelu, Felicia Nance, June Jones and Dawn Welton; and physicians Dr. Bob Bleicher; Dr. James Fosnaugh and Dr. Steven Krueger for their professional expertise.
A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday (1-13-17) at Eastridge Presbyterian Church, 1135 Eastridge Drive. A private inurnment will be held in the spring at Valley View Cemetery, Genoa, Nebraska.