Meta Earthling, 83, matriarch of Vesta Creek and North River resident, died Nov. 3, 2021, peacefully in her home.
Meta was born Feb. 13, 1938, in Longview, Washinton. The oldest of three children (in three years), her parents split-up and she was responsible for her siblings before she could read a clock. At five years old, Meta was adopted by a kind, wealthy, couple but she cried nonstop, for a week, and was returned.
Meta then spent several years in the foster system, surviving and looking out for her brother and sister. Eventually she moved with her mom, siblings, and stepdad to the San Juan Islands. Living near the beach on Friday Harbor, Meta developed a lifelong love of animals and nature.
At 16, Meta moved to Seattle to live with her dad and was married within a few years after graduating high school. As a young adult, she lived in the Seattle/Tacoma area and briefly Arizona (military base with her first husband).
Meta did some traveling, but spent most of her life in the Pacific Northwest. The farm on Vesta Creek became her forever home, her sanctuary in nature.
Meta was most proud of being a mother and strongly advocated for breast-feeding and homebirth. Meta had her last three, of five, children at home with no doctor or midwife (she had her last child at 42 years old).
Meta also had many jobs and hobbies throughout her life. She had a successful dog grooming business, worked as a cocktail waitress, became a veterinary technician, rescued stray and wild animals, bred champion purebred dogs (one was even invited to Westminster!), and Egyptian Arabian horses.
Meta enjoyed organic gardening and working the farm. She was also a gifted artist and had an eye for beauty. Meta served on the North River School board for approximately 25 years and was a leader of Blazing Saddles 4 H club for almost as long. Meta stood up for kids and animals, because they did not have a voice of their own.
She always spoke her mind, popular or not, and enjoyed writing letters to the editor. Meta was a free thinker and way ahead of her time. She was one of the main reasons that the North River School mascot was changed from the Redskins to the Mustangs (almost 30 years ago).
Meta was born Nancy Faye Smith, but legally changed her name. She had a near death/out of body experience around the birth of her second child, then realized she could change her first and last name when she finalized her third and final divorce. Meta means change, and she wanted her name to reflect who she was.
In 1970, at 32, Meta moved to Vesta Creek. They lived in an army tent, totally “off the grid,” to get out of the city. She left a fancy house with all the amenities. It was not easy, but she was determined to be there.
In 1975, Meta met Lennie Habersetzer and they have been partners ever since. The farm and home they made together are a testament to their shared vision and hard work.
Meta is survived by five daughters: Caprice Lee Smith, Bambi Suzanne Smith- McKinstry, Reality (Tyke) Slatten- Hartford, Vesta Light Seventy and Nova Lotus Habersetzer DVM, all of Washington, as well as eight grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
Meta did not die of COVID. After a life fully lived, a bad back injury and years of severe pain, she was ready to leave the planet. Meta was not afraid to let go of her ailing body; she believed that her death would allow for the continued expansion of her ever changing consciousness. Her gravitational force will live on but her physical presence will be dearly missed.
Per her request and instruction, Meta was cremated.
There will a celebration of life ceremony on Jan. 8, 2022, at the North River Grange at 11 a.m.
