Mary Jean (Walker) Meyer, a long-time resident of Newton, Massachusetts passed away peacefully on October 9, 2025 after an extended illness.

Mary Jean (Walker) Meyer was born on August 3, 1941 in Ayrshire, Scotland to Sophia and Joseph Walker. Mary grew up in Scotland but made the journey across the Atlantic at the age of 18 to live and work in New York City. It was there that she met her husband of 59 years, Dr. Jack Meyer, while he was a student at Cornell University Medical College. She completed a B.A. in Psychology at Goddard College in 1982 and a M.A. in Expressive Arts Therapy from Lesley University in 1985.

Mary had a long and distinguished career as an expressive arts therapist, helping children who had experienced trauma heal through art. Her advocacy on behalf of abused and neglected  children both in her practice and in the courtroom significantly impacted the health and safety of many survivors of child abuse. She shared her expertise on healing children utilizing expressive arts through journal articles, essays, speaking engagements and workshops.

Mary will be remembered for her humor and passion for helping those who had experienced trauma in their lives. She loved her garden, her dogs, spending time in Vermont, and was also an avid hiker and adventurer. She spent several summers in her 50s hiking in the alps, walking across England, and exploring New Zealand. She had the gift of making people feel welcome, seen, and listened to and as a result, helped many who were experiencing difficulties in their lives. She loved to spend time with her only grandchild, Jackson, particularly when it involved art and storytelling.

Mary is survived by her husband Jack, her daughters Hilary Meyer of Belmont, MA, Heather (Meyer) Reynolds and her husband T.H. Reynolds, and her grandson Jackson Reynolds of Saratoga Springs, NY. She was loved by her sisters, brother, and nieces and nephews in both the U.S. and Scotland.

A celebration of life will be held on Sunday November 23, 2025 at Burke & Blackington Funeral Home, 1479 Washington Street, West Newton, MA. Family will welcome guest from 1pm to 1:30pm. Remembrances will be shared from 1:30pm -3pm and will be livestreamed at https://www.harborview.live

Those wishing to honor Mary's life may make a donation to the trauma clinic where she worked for many years.

Children's Charter Trauma Clinic (A division of Key Program, Inc.)

77 Rumford Ave.

Waltham, MA 02453

Online donations can be made through Key Program, Inc. at https://www.key.org/childrens-charter