GALLERYOF presidents
Carol Flora Indiana SHINE ON!
Sherryl Appling Kentucky Simply P.E.O. Sisters— Women Helping Women Grow Sherryl Appling was given the gift of P.E.O. and initiated into Chapter AB in Russellville, Kentucky, on May 7, 2002. Though all her sisters welcomed her, Diane McKanna and Marion Firchow got her started going to the state and International Conventions, a much-loved part of her life. Sherryl has served her local chapter in many offices, including president, several times. She served on several local and state committees. Her journey on the state executive board began in 2018. After working at a local nursing home for 10 years, she moved to the Logan County Public Library in Russellville, Kentucky. Having worked at the library since 1991, Sherry has worked in just about every department and has gained an understanding of how the library operates from the front checkout desk to the business office. She is currently the chief cataloger and the systems administrator. Her time is divided between preparing materials for circulation and the maintenance of the computer systems. She is an active member of the Friends of the Library. She loves her cat Sandy, doing crossword puzzles and playing games. P.E.O. plays a big role in Sherryl’s life and she cherishes the friendships she has made along the way.
Diane Meek Manitoba- Northwest Ontario Be a Bee
In 1991, Carol Flora was initiated into Chapter X, South Bend, Indiana, the only chapter in which she has been a member. Carol has held many chapter offices, served on the state amendments and recommendations committee, served Indiana State Chapter as convention chair in 2013, and served as a guard for the 2015 Convention of International Chapter (CIC). She will preside at the convention celebrating Indiana State Chapter’s centennial. Carol was lovingly chosen to inherit the centennial charm from the 1969 CIC, which had belonged to Chapter Eternal sister Helen Hillman, past president, Indiana State Chapter, 1943-1944. It is a treasured possession. Carol has lived in the Mishawaka/ South Bend area all her life. Carol graduated from Indiana University with a degree in radiologic technology. She has worked as a radiologic technologist, a work-at- home mom and assistant director of liturgy and music at Saint Pius X Catholic Church. Carol retired after serving her parish for 26 years. Carol met her husband, Mark, singing in a church choir. They are the parents of three children; retirement is destined to be full of visits with the children and their families. Carol enjoys reading, singing, researching soup recipes and walking. She hopes to spend more time learning to play piano and learning American Sign Language.
Diane Meek has lived in Winnipeg and Sunset Beach, Manitoba, and currently resides in Powerview, Manitoba. Diane graduated in 2002 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics with a minor in sociology from the University of Manitoba. At the same time, she attended night school and graduated with a certificate in computer programming from Herzing College. She worked for the City of Winnipeg’s operations department. After specialized training, she worked as an operations analyst in information technology for the last 12 years of her 40-year career with the city. Diane retired in 2019. Diane has been a part of the Snowflakes, a bariatric support group, since 2005. She volunteers with Wings of Power, a family and community resource center, by raising donations for their pre-natal support classes. She also lends support to Helping Hands Winnipeg by collecting donations of clothing for women trying to re-enter the workplace. Diane met her BIL, Les, in 2005; they were married on February 14, 2021, a -33 degree day in Winnipeg, in a drive-by wedding. They have a toy Aussie, Finnegan, who is their fur baby. Knitting is Diane’s go-to relaxation but she also loves creating stained glass items, golfing and fishing.
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THE P.E.O. RECORD | July–August 2022
Women helping women reach for the stars
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