Meet Barbara and Anne-Marie Meegan of Ladies Guild in Sun City

Today we’d like to introduce you to Barbara and Anne-Marie Meegan.

Barbara and Anne-Marie, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Girl Scout cookies we sold here in the Sun City area during the 1980s and my husband and I bought a home here in Phoenix in the 1970s. While I worked at Luke Air Force Base, there were volunteers from the OB/GYN Clinic who had yarn up to the ceiling. Then after I retired from working at Luke, I had a friend who lived in Sun City and I became involved with church here where I was introduced to the Ladies Guild. From there, I moved to Sun City and then brought my daughter to the Guild.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
A smooth road – yes! I enjoy the volunteer work I do for the Guild in this “Active Living Community.” Turning 80, I wish I could live as long as my Aunt Ula did who was over 100 years old. It gives me a lot to do! Fun – raising is what it should be called. Seeing the grants given to helping with the Bake Sale I have learned what non-profits are more about. Just seeing my daughter write and create ads, doing the Publicity, from writing Press Releases to articles in the newspaper, I just love what she does for the Guild. What is precious to us is our friends and friendship — those who are getting older we would to hold on to those memories, whether the Julia Chestna Scholarship Chair who recently passed away or seeing the changes to the Angel Room (one of the largest collections in the country).

Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Ladies Guild at St. Clement of Rome in Sun City – what should we know?
Our brand is our indelible reputation. Rummage sales that are successful to raise money for charitable grants to donate to children with autism, homeless returning to work, and to those in foster care. We also give much to the veterans. Selling out all the baked goods from cookies to cakes to pies, homemade. I am proud of our working together as the Men’s Club pitches in with helping during Coffee Sunday to storing items for our sales. Our Clementique gift shop has handmade jewelry, kitchen Scrubbies, and even decorative placemats I make that are admirably cherished. Having our Founder’s Day which we are preparing (especially Anne-Marie attentively organizing and planning) to celebrate our 50th Anniversary, many laughs are shared at our Spring Fashion Show (one Lifetime member dressed like the roaring 20s dress), and now our 3rd Wednesday Speaker Presentations we are known for. Anne-Marie arranged for the Attorney General’s Office to speak about Identity Theft. She spoke to Nick Lowery (“Nick the Kick” NFL Football Hall of Fame) to come to talk about his “Champions for the Homeless” Program and his NL Youth Foundation, which the Ladies Guild still fondly remembers. Plus, she coordinated for Lin Sue Cooney (who was on Channel 12 News as an Anchor) to discuss the focus and mission of Hospice of the Valley. Hopefully, for the first time, we will be holding a Holiday Gala with a raffle and mistletoe and chocolates as party favors. We are collecting photos for possibly a future magazine for our members and the community. Really our heart and endless dedication sets us apart.

Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
Maintaining my Boston accent, I grew up in Cambridge and was born in Maine. I am considered to be strong-willed and very outspoken. Devout is how they describe my personality. Dunn and Bradstreet I worked for and my mom was a Rosie the Riveter and worked for Sonesta Hotels. Orders I deliver, I am entrusted with vital information, and my interests have always been trying to do good for others and be the best with medical terminology. I impart that wisdom on my daughter, having given her dictionaries and Taber Medical guides. She made me proud when she aced her Anatomy and Physiology exams. Also when she earned her Juris Doctor degree. Geared to be a Girl Scouts Leader, I did very well with making cast-iron skillet meals at camps to serving, of course, as Head Nurse.

Contact Info:

• Address: 9866 West Cedar Court, Sun City, AZ 85351
• Website: www.stclementaz.org
• Phone: 6236948953 ; 623-271-8146
• Email: Chiefhm1984@gmail.com
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/annemarie.meegan

Image Credit:
Anne-Marie took the Selfies One photo is taken at the Arizona State Veterans Home in Phoenix Photo of Peoria Pines with Event/Catering Manager, Denise Murphy With football is Nick Lowery (NFL Hall of Fame) Lin Sue Cooney is with Mrs. Meegan and Anne-Marie

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