Mary Margaret Walker-Meyer-Kelly

Mary Margaret was born Sept. 25, 1944 in Cheyenne, Wyo. Her parents, W. Dillard "Pic" and Frances E. Walker were pioneer Wyoming aviators.

When "MM" was just five, the family moved from Cheyenne to Saratoga, Wyo. where she spent her formative years. Her parents built the Saratoga Inn Resort there and operated several ranches in the Platte River Valley raising cattle, horses, and sheep.

In 1958 the Walker Family moved to Scottsdale, Ariz. where MM continued her education graduating from Scottsdale High School in 1962. She went on to Arizona State University graduating with both a bachelors and masters degree in education. At the time she was the youngest ASU graduate, moving her tassel after just three years.

On June 6, 1964 MM married attorney P. Richard Meyer. Together, they brought daughter Kelly Catherine into their lives in 1969.

A gifted teacher, MM was involved in the development of the Palo Alto education system. It was from here MM experienced a life altering career change. MM later moved to Jackson Hole, Wyo. where she owned and operated "Turquoise and Silver," a jewelry and art business on the village square. While her business thrived she serendipitously became involved in private investigations at the behest of flamboyant Wyoming attorney, Jerry Spence.

The movie "Silkwood," played by Meryl Streep, was based on a monumental case won by jurist Spence who gave MM credit for having broken the case resulting in the largest punitive damage settlement in history. Her new career was off and running.

MM founded "Joseph-Daniel & Meyer" her private investigations firm. She would grow her business to have offices in Phoenix, Tucson, Bullhead City, and Prescott. Recently, she opened a satellite office in Frederick, Colorado to be near her daughter's family.

MM has been involved in aviation along the way flying her hot air balloon "Silver Lining" for many years. Her greatest pleasure has been watching her grandson grow into one of Colorado's finest basketball players. MM has been an accomplished interior decorator. Her homes were always a work in progress.

MM's health declined over the past two years. She passed peacefully at her home in Phoenix with her family by her side. MM is survived by daughter, Kelly and her husband, Dan Fanning; grandson, Walker Korell; brother Billy Walker and wife, Cheryl; sister Martha Jo Tisdale and husband Norm along with numerous cousins, nephews and nieces. MM's closest friend, since their days at ASU, Lois Richardson has been with her throughout.

In lieu of flowers we would like to ask you to consider making a contribution to the W. Dillard Pic Walker Memorial, Scholarship for ASU Aviation Students. Please call the ASU Foundation at (480) 965-3759 to make a gift or mail a check made out to the ASU Foundation to the Foundation at the address below. Please note that it is to go to the scholarship: ASU Foundation - P.O. Box 2260 - Tempe, AZ 85280-2260

 

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