It is with great sadness that the family of Mealdine Principe announces her passing on Saturday, August 11, 2007, at the age of 82, after a lengthy illness.Mealdine was born May 15, 1925, in Hamilton, Texas to Ernest and Nellie Tippie. During her teen years, the family moved to Big Spring, Texas, where she graduated high school and later married Lawrence Principe who was serving in World War II. Shortly after her marriage, she moved to Cedar Grove, New Jersey, where she was a homemaker and gifted seamstress, and later worked outside the home as a banker. After retirement, she and her husband moved to Sebring, Florida. After his death, she moved to Midland, Texas to be closer to relatives and friends.She is survived by three adored children. Her daughter, Loretta and her husband, Ken Muir, live in Charlotte, North Carolina; her daughter, Vivian and her husband, Tim Gallagher, live in Clermont, Florida; and her son, Larry lives in Baltimore, Maryland; two grandchildren, Lara Kennedy of Glen Ridge, New Jersey, and John Muir of Charlotte, North Carolina, and one grand pup, Majik, of Clermont, Florida; and four great grandchildren, Meghan, Caitlin and Erin of Glen Ridge, New Jersey, and Joel Muir of Charlotte, North Carolina; her sister, Ernestine Hammack, resides in Midland, Texas. Mealdine is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews and friends.Mealdine was preceded in death by her husband, Lawrence Principe, her parents, Ernest and Nellie Tippie and her sister, Christine Hartley.Her beauty was more than skin deep; her big smile and contagious laughter were only two of her many traits that formed friendships no matter where she went. She loved life and was such a people person. Mealdine was adamant about staying in touch with family and friends so she spent many hours on the telephone. She was a great conversationalist and we all loved to hear her talk with her half Texas half New Jersey accent.Mealdine became a member of Westside Church of Christ when she moved to Midland, where she won the hearts of Minster David Bonner and his wife, who recently relocated to a church in Oklahoma. Also, upon becoming a Midland resident, Mealdine met Margaret White and Charles Sides, two extraordinary individuals whom Mealdine soon began calling her "adopted daughter and son". Charles was never more than a phone call away, always available for errands, and was consistently bringing her "jello". Margaret accompanied Mealdine to Dallas on April 17, 2007, for scheduled heart surgery and stayed by her side during the entire process. She brought Mealdine back to Midland in July to begin her recovery. Margaret and Charles both loved her unconditionally and the family deeply appreciates the two of them who generously gave their time and energy to Mealdine.A celebration of her life will be held Thursday, August 23, 2007 at 3:00 pm at Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home Chapel in Midland with David Bonner, officiating.Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory of Midland. Online condolences can be made at: www.npwelch.com,
