Norma Jean Meacham, age 96, beloved wife, mother, daughter, sister, and friend, of Mesa, Arizona and Chelsea, Michigan, passed away on February 18, 2026, at Chelsea Hospital. She was born May 25, 1929, in Detroit, Michigan, the daughter of Joseph M. and Rosalie (Crouch) Babel.
Jean, as she liked to be called, was born in Detroit where she met and married the love of her life, David G. Meacham, on June 4, 1947. They were blessed with three children.
They raised their family in California and Michigan. When their children were in college they moved to Traverse City which they loved. Jean taught cosmetology at David Pressley School in Royal Oak, Michigan before opening her own salons in both Royal Oak and Traverse City Michigan.
They loved to travel and saw all of the United States in one of their many RV’s. They also enjoyed cruising abroad and even to China. Both fell in love with Arizona and made that their home in the eighties. Jean continued to travel after David’s death in 2008.
Jean was an avid gardener wherever she was. She transformed their many houses into homes and gardens with amazing order, energy, and creativity. She continued this with the move to her last home of twenty years, where she was always on the landscaping committee. Jean was very energetic, feisty, and enjoyed people. Always one to keep busy, and if there was a committee, she was sure to be part of it. Jean enjoyed crafts, pottery, sewing, cooking, and making baby clothing and blankets for the neonatal units.
Most of all, Jean loved her family. She was happiest entertaining when people visited.
Jean moved back to Michigan in 2025 to an independent living apartment at the Chelsea Retirement Center near family.
Jean was predeceased by a son, Charles. She is survived by her daughter, Christa (Alan) Fischer of Chelsea, Michigan, and her son, Paul Meacham of Ortonville, Michigan. She had four grandchildren, Matt (Abby) of Wellesley, MA; Brian (Lauren) of Waterford, MI; and Kevin and Hayley (Ashley), both of Dallas, Texas; She had four great-grandchildren, Ethan, Madeleine, Harlyn, and Harper. Jean is survived by her beloved sister, Joanne Johnson of Holly, and many nieces and nephews.
A part of us always until we meet again!
Per her wishes a celebration of her life will be held this summer with Jean and David’s ashes scattered in Maine.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Arrangements by Staffan-Mitchell Funeral Home, Chelsea.
