Obituary of Meredith P. Van Pelt

Meredith Van Pelt passed away peacefully on March 13,2015 . She was 99 years old. Throughout her life, she remained interested and engaged in issues of the day, particularly education and health care. Her intense curiosity, the love and support of her family, her many friends and associates, kept her young at heart and spirit through advancing years. Known to her close friends as “Med,” she was born on June 3,1915 in Westwood N.J., and spent her childhood and most of her adult years along the Eastern shore. She attended Centenary College in Hackettstown, N.J., where she developed an abiding love for education. In later years, she also credited the school for instilling her with ” a great foundation for living life.” She became a major benefactor at Centenary, serving on various committees and in fund raising capacities for many years. Mrs. Van Pelt was also an ardent and passionate bridge player. Mrs. Van Pelt was a tireless worker, volunteer and philanthropist for various community causes. She supported hospitals ,historical societies, educational groups and more while living in New Jersey,North Carolina and both coasts of Florida. She particularly enjoyed serving as Trustee of the New York based Van Pelt Foundation for 25 years, where her role was to evaluate and recommend charitable funding proposals from educational and medical institutions. The Foundation was founded by her late husband, Edwin Van Pelt, a New York banker,who predeceased her. She was also predeceased by a sister and brother. Mrs. Van Pelt moved to Brevard County in 1992 to be near her three daughters who survive her: Janice of Satellite Beach, Lilyan and Margaret (Gregg) of Indian Harbour Beach. She is also survived by a son, Alan of Niagara Falls, N.Y. seven grand children. ten great grand children and one great, great grandchild. Mrs. Van Pelt was an Episcopalian and in 2005 the Grace Episcopal Church in Westwood,N.J. celebrated its Centennial and found her to be the oldest living confirmed member. Locally, she was a member of Prince of Peace Anglican Church in Viera.Memorial services for Mrs. Van Pelt will be held later in the month at Prince of Peace Anglican Church in Viera. Interment will be at Westwood Cemetery , Westwood, N.J. Memorial donations may be made to Centenary Collge, 400 Jefferson St. Hackettstown, N.J. 07840 or to Holmes Regional Medical Center, Foundation Office, 1350 Hickory St. Melbourne, Fla. 32901