Meara Eileen Hamlin

Meara Eileen Hamlin, 47, of Youngsville, passed away Tuesday January 1, 2019 at her home surrounded by her family.  Meara was born in Riverside, California on September 15, 1971 to Florence Paula Dye and the late Michael Edward Larralde.

Meara was a very hard working, strong, stubborn, funny, loving, creative, carefree, charming and compassionate person. She loved her family, friends and pets with her whole heart. She knew how to love unconditionally, and sought to share that love with all whom she met. She had the ability to make anyone feel comfortable, so they could just be themselves. She taught her children to be loving, always. She was artistic in many ways. She could draw, write,  and her handwriting was so pretty! She loved to cook and serve others in this way, she invited you into her life and made you feel welcome. She could make people smile, even when she was in pain and sad.

Some of Meara's favorite things were time with her daughters, time with Billy, being close to the water, reading, laughing, music, driving fast, getting her nails done, having friends over to cook for, sushi, In-N-Out, and artichokes.  

She was witty and not afraid to laugh at herself. She loved to stick googly eyes in the most random places, leave notes for her loved ones, and send the silliest photos and gif's via text. We don't know what her last meal would have been, but we know that over the last year when she couldn't eat she smiled and still remained positive during the joys of a good conversation over the meal. She enjoyed holidays and she worked hard to make sure her girls and family had a nice Christmas Eve and day, even though she was in pain and not feeling well. The time we all shared with her really was a gift, and our lives are richer because of her.

She was full of cheer and a merry spirit and it overflowed onto all who knew her. 

To miss someone so much means they were extremely special, and we were blessed to have her in our lives. She is in our hearts forever and will always be missed. We celebrate her life and will cherish her presence that will live on in our hearts and her two amazing daughters: Shelby and Karsten.

Services will be held at 6 o’clock, Thursday evening, January 3, 2019 at Clancy Strickland Wheeler Funeral Home.

Mrs. Hamlin is survived by her daughters, Shelby Hamlin of Youngsville and Karsten Hamlin & fiancé Andrew Love of Youngsville; mother, Paula Dye of Raleigh; boyfriend, Bill Case of North Redington Beach, FL; siblings, Kama Tucker & spouse Kristy Norton of Wilmington, Kyle Davis & spouse Hannah of Sacramento, CA, Matt Larralde of Los Angeles, CA, Katie Anderson of Raleigh and Bren Anderson of Durham; grandparents, Bill & Kitty Brenneman of Wake Forest. She is preceded in death by her father, Michael Larralde.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, Head & Neck Cancer, CB #7295, UNC-CH, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7295.

A service of Clancy Strickland Wheeler Funeral Home, 1051 Durham Road, Wake Forest, NC. (919)556-7400

www.cswfuneralhome.com