Jean Ann Grogan Mezera

11/22/1938 – 03/01/2020

NASHVILLE - Where do you start? Like most, mom lived and loved life—and oh yes, Diet Coke. She was a great mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. But, she was so much more than just a byline in someone’s genealogy. She cared. More individuals than we will ever know were impacted by her caring – as a nurse, as a counselor, as a spiritual mentor – mom worked with others to help them find their better selves. Understanding every person is fallible, including herself, she focused on the power of imperfection and letting that serve as the foundation to build on. May her selfless love and care live on in the lives of all who knew her, and may they pass it on to their loved ones.

Never one to settle down for too long, mom and dad always sought new adventures in homelife and careers. Following Los Angeles, Denver, and Phoenix, the family lived in Prescott Arizona, San Diego, and Orlando. Eventually, mom and dad settled in Franklin. 

They also changed careers, going from education and health care to alcohol and drug counseling and therapy. Mom thrived in this field, noting that it was the most rewarding time in her life. Over the course of her life, mom was able to visit all 50 states and over a dozen countries and painted every step along the way. Our homes are graced with her works.

Mom and dad lived in Franklin from 1992 to 2013. While there, both were active members of St. Francis Catholic Church. Eleven years ago, our dad, John (“Jack”) Leslie Mezera, passed away in Franklin. He left us too soon. Our mom remained on their farm for several more years before moving to Nashville, Tennessee in 2013 to live with her daughter and daughter-in-law. Though already diagnosed with kidney failure and congestive heart failure, she embarked on a new, fulfilling chapter in her life. She joined Christ the King Church and became one of the amazing “knitting ladies” of the church. She loved all, recalling always that “in everything, do unto others what you would have them do unto you.” To us, that’s what love is all about, and she lived it.

Mom was born in 1938 in St. Louis, Missouri. The youngest of three children to John Patrick Grogan and Anna (“George Ann”) (nee Damm) Grogan. She is preceded in death by her husband, John Leslie Mezera, her parents, and her brother Thomas Patrick (“Pat”) Grogan and his wife, Matiana. 

She is survived by her children, Lad Patrick of California, Danielle Rebecca and her wife Cindy of Tennessee, Paul Landon and his wife Tammy of Tennessee, Lawrence Martin of Florida, Ping Fang and his wife Mandi of Utah, and her daughters-in-law Lynette and Toni Ann; 18 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her brother Robert (“Bob”) Grogan and his wife Betty.  

To all, we ask that you raise a glass to our mom, and “may the road rise up to meet you; may the wind always be at your back. May the sun always shine warm upon your face, and may rain fall soft upon your fields. And until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of His hand.”