Hemet Councilmember Karlee Meyer has died after a two-year battle with cancer.
“Meyer was a fixture in the community with her unshakeable strength and zest for life,” the city of Hemet said in a statement posted to Facebook. “She passed away peacefully at home with friends and family by her side on Monday.”
According to the statement, Meyer was a fifth generation valley resident born and raised in Hemet who has served District 1 since being elected to office in 2016.
“She loved and worked hard for many years to make Hemet a loving and prosperous town and home to everyone, with her efforts of many years serving on the Hemet City Council to serve the community,” Mayor Joe Males said in a statement. “She was a strong, God-fearing woman and she will be missed dearly.”
Meyer served the city as mayor in 2021 and as mayor pro tem in 2017 and 2022. During her tenure on the council, she served on a number of committees and had a strong passion for homelessness efforts, according to the city’s statement.
“Karlee had an immense passion for others and doing what she could to advocate for those who couldn’t speak for themselves,” Mayor Pro Tem Malcolm Lilienthal said in a statement. “It has been an honor to know her, and I am praying for her family in this time.”
In addition to her committee assignments, Meyer was also a volunteer at the Riverside County Homeless Point in Time Count and believed in transparency, making herself available to the public day or night, according to the city’s statement.
“She was a rock in our community and fought tirelessly before and during her illness to represent others,” Councilmember Linda Krupa said in a statement. “She was a true fighter, and we are all saddened by the loss.”
Councilmember Jackie Peterson said in her statement that she did not get to know Meyer as well as everyone else, but noted her “vibrant personality.”
Friends of Meyer took to social media after learning of her passing to mourn the loss.
“I am deeply saddened that my dear friend, Hemet City Council member Karlee Meyer passed away last night due to cancer,” Robert Youssef, former Hemet mayor, said in a Facebook post. “Karlee was a true leader in the community, who cared deeply about improving the lives of the people living in it.
“Her dedication to public service and her unwavering commitment to the betterment of the community will always be remembered,” the post continued. “Karlee was a true advocate for human life, and she worked tirelessly to ensure that everyone in Hemet had access to the resources they needed to thrive. Her passion for helping others was evident in everything she did, and her legacy will continue to inspire us all.”
Riverside County Supervisor Yxstian Gutierrez closed out Tuesday’s Riverside County Board of Supervisors meeting in memory of Meyer and shared his condolences on Facebook.
“I’d like to offer my sincerest condolences to the family of Councilmember Karlee Meyer who passed away last night,” Gutierrez wrote in a Facebook post. “I had the pleasure of meeting Karlee very early on in January when I was recently elected. She was so helpful and an out of the box thinker.”
Meyer is survived by her husband Roger and their four children — Grant, Gabby, Gavin and Garin. Meyer’s family has set up a GoFundMe page to help cover her medical bills.
A candlelight vigil will be held at 7 p.m. Monday, April 24, at the Hemet Police Department 9/11 memorial, 450 E. Latham Ave.
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