Claire (Landry) Meshberger

Claire Loraine (Landry) Meshberger, age 93, of Fort Wayne, passed away March 10, 2026, at Canterbury Health Care and Rehabilitation in Fort Wayne. Claire was born in Springfield, Massachusetts, on December 17, 1932, to the late Harvey Landry and Alma (Boucher) Landry. She married Sherman Lee Meshberger at Enfield, Connecticut and he preceded her in death in March of 2016. Her son, Thomas Meshberger, also preceded her in death November 23, 2025. She is survived by a son, James Meshberger, of Fort Wayne.

There will be a memorial service held at a later date. 

An end of an era for me. Where do I begin? The greatest thing is: There is a beginning but the most beautiful thing.... there is no end! The physical presence is gone but the soul lives on in a better place! It's tough to watch an end of an era for me. I would say its bittersweet

Dementia/ Alzheimer's is a slippery slope for all the relatives involved.  When you walk through those doors of the nursing home....you have no idea what to expect .....and for someone in your family to have dementia/Alzheimer's for 23 years.  That's a whole different story.

I have people all the time telling this and that about it and how to handle it.  I always listen with respect....because they want to talk about it and it helps them.   I understood that over time.  But, honestly I could give a lecture every day for the next year and speak about something different every day.  We sometimes dont understand why these things happen. 

Once the smoke has cleared....there is always a lesson to be learned within the circle of life. Not always easy to see....but in time it will always become clear.

Just like many years prior growing up.  I always wondered why my mom was so tough on me.  I mean I thought to myself I would never speak to my kids the way she spoke to me.  I know my pepere spoke to her that way when she was competing in roller skating.  She knew I could handle it and my brother Tom couldnt handle it.  It was confusing. I mean I would hear from others how proud she was of me and I would be like "what...really?" It wouldnt be till later in life that I realized this was a whole life lesson.  Its funny how life works.  My mom being so tough on me so I could handle this long 23 year journey of ups and downs while losing your brother and your dad....it was me and only me that made all the decisions in their lives.  Some were very difficult and some were very easy....I honestly wouldnt want it any other way!!....but it was the grind that takes a lot out of you.  Things start to go well, then there is a 12/6 curveball.  No stability, no grid...just lottery balls every day!! I talked about it a little bit....not near as much as I thought about it or how much it bothered me.  I definitely internalized most of it.

At this moment, it is very difficult on me and thats ok.  My mom had dementia/alzheimers much longer than I knew my mom in my adult life.
 She was diagnosed in 2003.  She was admitted into the nursing home in 2012.  Then my dad pulled her out, and then put her back in 2013.....Been there ever since.  My dad battled cancer and I went to chemo with him every other week for 4 1/2 years.  F'n nuts!! Died from chemo pretty much..... in 2016.  

So, I have had this (almost)20 year relationship with my mom that was totally different.  I started most of my days off by seeing her.  I didnt need interaction...I just needed her presence....and that is what I had.  Sometimes she would have her eyes closed and I would always start out by saying "Hey mom, its your youngest son Jimmy, and I love you the most" then I would say open your eyes.....sometimes she would open her eyes and look at me with very cold like dolls  eyes and sometimes I would get the look like she is looking at me for the first time when I was born....that was special.

Even though I will miss her physical presence. The memories will last my lifetime and it matters.  It matters to me and that is what matters.  I'm very lucky to have the mother I have.  I wouldnt want anyone else. Afterall, I wouldnt  have spoken about her the way I have..... if she didnt matter or she wasnt a good mother!! Most have told me how lucky my mom was to have me there almost every day....and I would say the same thing...."I am the lucky one!!"

My mom came from immigrant parents. She was born in Springfield Mass.  She spoke french up to around age 7 and then was bilingual from then on.  My memere lived with us until she passed my senior year in HS.  That was the last I heard my mom speak French.

She was a practical joker, loved to laugh, very street smart, and very low filter.  She worked in the automotive dept at Sears Genbrook.  She was honored as salesperson of the year twice and went to Chicago to get the award. In a very male dominated automotive industry,  It is very tough to accomplish these awards at that time.
She had her hands in everything.

She was a ballerina, in many shows, she was on tbe snow ski team in Stowe, Vermont, she was in the ski club, and ski show at Lake Congamond. She was the girl on top of a three tier pyramid.  I actually saw it on 8mm. She was 5"2" 110lbs. She taught ballroom dancing, she was a very accomplished figure roller skater.  She took lessons in Queens and skated in Madison Square Garden.  She was a 2 time U.S. Champion.  She also was a hairdresser.  Needless to say, she was the best athlete in the family. If I asked her about all of her accomplishments...."which was your greatest achievement?".....that would be very easy for her without a doubt.....she would say her family.  How fortunate for us!!!! 

I know she is in a better place now.  I was very conflicted on wanting her to go and wanting her to stay.  If she was normal and saw herself like that....she would say "Take my ass out!!" Just like that!! 

Its tough driving down the driveway and going right....left was to the nursing home....so want to go left!!!.....

But it is amazing that my mom is still teaching me about life even during her disease and death.  

Sorry I jumped all over the place....so many thoughts....but it is my story!! 

Cheers to you mom!! I wouldnt want it any other way either....lots of love to all the great moms out there and if you are on the outs with a family memeber....make it up....life flies by.....its crazy.....always enjoy the moment....tomorrow may never come!!!

At least I can grant my mom her last wish.....and I am honored to do so!!

LOVE Forever Mom RIP 3/10/26

Written by Claire's son, Jim. 

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