Jana Chia Meek, a longtime resident of Zumirez Drive on Point Dume, died at her home on Jan. 25. She was 81.
Meek had lived at her unique residence, “La Vigile,” known for its wildflower-pattern stained-glass windows, since 1971. She raised her family there, and continued to live and work at the property long after her children, Alden, Mindy and Britten, had moved out. Before that, she lived with her family in Malibu Colony.
Born in Springfield, Mo. in 1926, Meek also had three sisters and a brother, all of whom were raised in Southern California. Meek was proud of being an accomplished mountain climber. Some of her notable climbs were The Matterhorn, Mt. Blanc and significant portions of The Eiger and Mt. Everest. Her love of backpacking, cross-country skiing and trekking through mountainous regions across the world was well known and much appreciated by her children who learned from her vigorous and disciplined ways, and continue her outdoor traditions to this day.
Meek was also deeply interested in spiritual and philosophical matters, which she enjoyed sharing with neighborhood families, friends and with her own children. One of her favorite expressions was “Now let me dare to open wide the gate…”