Dr. Lillian L. Meyers

Dr Lillian Marie Lang Meyers went to be with the lord on Nov. 5, 2023, where she joined her husband Bob who died Jan. 2, 2021.

Lillian Lang was born on Christmas Day in 1926, to Marie Way Lang and Hubert Ward Lang Sr., in Brunswick, Georgia. The Lang Family had built Lang Building Supply, a major local employer which continues today. Her father was a city commissioner and served as Mayor and her mother a local leader in community affairs and civic organizations including welcoming new citizens at naturalization ceremonies for more than 45 years. Her early life was full of outdoor activities including fishing and boating in the Golden Isles of southeast Georgia. Lillian excelled at tennis, golf, and softball. She recalled playing a round of golf with her mother on the Brunswick Country Club Golf course Dec. 7, 1941, and when they came back to the clubhouse, everyone was gathered around the radio listening to reports of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.

Lillian was two years at the University of Georgia before being joined by men returning from service in World War II. Her concern for their mental health inspired her to major in Psychology. Her concern for the world led her to convert to Roman Catholicism which led to further education at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh. where she met Robert Joseph Meyers, the man who became the love of her life and husband as well as lifelong tennis and golf partner. They married in December 1950 and started a family with eight children born between 1951 and 1964.

Lillian managed to win Allegheny County Tennis Championships while feeding, clothing, and nurturing her growing brood. When her youngest went to school, she started back to work as a therapist at Woodville State Hospital and on her PhD at the University of Pittsburgh, which she completed in 1975. Dr Meyers became director of the Forensic Unit at Mayview State Hospital for many years until her retirement coincided with the state closure of Mayview. Lil’s professional accomplishments include Founding Board Member of the Good Grief Center, as a Fellow in Thanatology and vocal advocate of the incarcerated mentally ill and against the death penalty. Numerous awards too many to mention but Lillian was most proud of being named to the Pennsylvania Honor Roll for Women in 1996 and the Legacy Award of the Greater Pitt Psychological Association in 2009.

In 1990, Dr Meyers was appointed as Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at Pitt School of Medicine and in retirement continued private counseling and work at Western Pennsylvania Psychiatric Institute among many volunteer activities and of course golf and tennis!

After the accidental death of their youngest child, Jimmy in 1981, Lillian and Robert Meyers became continually active in the international organization of Compassionate Friends and were devoted to the Pittsburgh Chapter. They answered the call to assist many parents suffering from the sudden loss of a child. Dr Meyers’s book, “I’m Sorry for Your Loss…” published 2012, has helped many experiencing sudden loss understand and cope with their grief.

 As a strong active member of the Catholic faith, Lillian could be found in many roles during Sunday mass and as needed elsewhere. Combined with Dr Meyers’s esteemed professional career, continued community volunteerism and dedication, Lillian and Robert Meyers were honored by receiving the Regional Jefferson Award by the Pittsburgh Post Gazette.

Lillian is predeceased by her parents and siblings, Hubert Lang Jr., Jack Lang, and Mary Morris, and her two sons Paul and James. Lillian is the loving mother of Catherine(Ray) Tyson, Ann(James) Dugan, Robert(Mary Jane) Meyers, Mary(Bruce) Kulp, John(Georgia) Meyers, Tricia(Richard) Kolsby; cherished grandmother of Maria(Chris) Lamorey, Eleni(Brett) Lucido, Tyler(Cassie) Kulp, Alexis(Ben) Kroeck, Tucker(Stephanie) Kulp, Steven(Kat) Kunsak, Sofia Meyers, Isabelle(Matt) Meyers Matthew Meyers,  Andrew Longhi, Emily Meyers, James Kolsby, John(Anne) McNally, Larisa(Gregg) Murphy, Kerry(Dave) Engle, Jamie(Ashley) Dugan, Katie(Wassif) Benlarbi; also survived by 19 great grandchildren.

Family and friends will be received Friday, Nov. 10 from 2-4 & 6-8 PM at Paul Henney Cremation & Funeral Tributes, 5570 Library Rd., Bethel Park. The Legion of Mary will have a Rosary said in memory of Lillian at 12:30, Saturday at St. Valentine Church(before the funeral mass begins).   Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 11 at St. Valentine Church, Bethel Park. Burial will follow at Bethel Cemetery. Following the cemetery all our welcome to a reception at The Crowne Plaza on Fort Couch Rd. 

   In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory can be made to Compassionate Friends, Pittsburgh Chapter P.O Box 15495 Pittsburgh Pa 15237 or a Charity of your choice.

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