Meredith Lynne Salens

Meredith Lynne Salens, age 62, recently of Grand Haven, Michigan, passed away unexpectedly on March 19, 2024 while vacationing in Colorado. 

Meredith was born on October 27, 1961 in Goldsboro, NC to the late Richard and Frances (Potts) Thomas. She was one of five children; Russell Thomas (Madison, MS) her older brother, her twin sister Allison Weeks (Houston, TX) and her younger sister Nikol Grant (Phoenix, AZ) and younger brother Gerald Grant (Winter Park, FL). 

After Meredith graduated from Clinton, MS High School in 1980, she went on to study Architecture at Mississippi State University.  

Meredith worked over 35 years in the Electric Utilities field, starting at Florida Power Corporation in Apopka and Oviedo, FL working her way up through the engineering department in line design, planner, and power quality positions. She finished her career with DTE Energy Corporation in the Detroit area having been a Subject Matter Expert and Supervisor over Planning before retiring at the end of 2020.  

Meredith met John Salens in Orlando, FL and they were happily married on Oct 25, 1985, settling in Oviedo, FL where they had one daughter, Veronica, in 1989. They left Oviedo for Novi, MI in 1997 where they lived until their retirement. They then moved back to Oviedo until their recent return to Michigan after the birth of their granddaughter, Avery Mae.  

Meredith was quite the athlete beginning at a young age. She loved softball and tennis, playing tennis competitively from a young age, including for her high school team. When her health did not permit her to play any longer, she took up golf and most recently pickle ball. She loved fishing and spending time on the water at the lake house and traveling around the country, particularly back to Mississippi and New Orleans.  

Meredith was an exemplary wife, mother, and human being. She embodied the best of qualities: unconditional love, strength of spirit, and an unending generosity that could be seen in her care for her mother, family, and friends. She was known for her quick wit and sharp mind, giving her the ability to make all around her chuckle and think. She viewed the problems brought on by her health as challenges she could work around. She never let anything get her down, especially once her granddaughter was born. She loved and adored Avery Mae, looking forward to the many chances at spoiling her as she grew up. 

Meredith was preceded in death by her mother Frances, father Richard and grand-parents John and Cora Potts.  

Meredith is survived by her husband John, her daughter Veronica, son-in-law Joseph Pritchard, grand-daughter Avery Mae Pritchard, and step-Father Tommy Cummins. She is also survived by her four siblings, her large furry friend Captain, many loyal friends, and an exceptional group of extended families; the Amasons in Florida, the Boles in Mississippi, and the Baumgarts in Michigan. Meredith (as well as John and Veronica) treasured them all and appreciated the support and love they provided. 

A memorial for Meredith will be held later this spring and we will notify all friends and family. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the AdventHealth Foundation Central Florida and their transplant programs at FoundationInfo@AdventHealth.com or online at https://give.adventhealth.com/give/450035/#!/donation/checkout