Eleanor Gordon

Eleanor Gordon valued many things throughout her life, but none were more important to her than creating close relationships with the family she treasured so deeply. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, and step-mother who did everything she could to support and encourage her loved ones. People who knew Eleanor were blessed by her unconditional love and her generosity of spirit, yet through her love and hard work, she provided a strong and benevolent foundation for her family. With a smile that could light up the darkest of days, Eleanor was a wonderful woman who lived her life to love others.

As the United States was enjoying a time of temporary peace between the two World Wars, John and Emma Louise (Ozinga) Slykhouse of Grand Rapids, Michigan celebrated the birth of their first child, daughter Eleanor Louise, on July 23, 1923. Eleanor would soon become big sister to three brothers, George, Roger, Tom, and one sister, Lynda (who was 15 years younger than she was). She grew up in their family home on Knapp Street on the northeast side of Grand Rapids, where she created many fun-filled childhood memories with her siblings. Eleanor was especially close to her mother, who taught her how to cook, garden and maintain a home.

The family were lifelong members of Second Congregational Church, and this strong Christian upbringing would always be an important part of Eleanor’s life. She especially loved the organ music in church, and singing the hymns. When it came to school, Eleanor was very scholarly and excelled in all her studies. She graduated as Valedictorian of the class of 1941 at Creston High School. She then attended Central Michigan, where she studied liberal arts. However, when her mother became ill, Eleanor quit school and returned home to care for her mother and younger siblings. After life stabilized a little, Eleanor found a teaching position in Casnovia and took the train there and back everyday.

During World War II, Eleanor was “pen pals” with several young servicemen serving overseas. Then, in 1946, she went on a blind date with a young soldier just returning from the war named Samuel Gordon. As fate would have it, the two fell hopelessly in love and were happily married on August 23, 1946, in her family home on Leonard St, NW so her terminally-ill mother could watch her wed. Sadly, her mother passed away a few months later. With her motherly instincts honed at an early age, Eleanor was prepared for her own family when she and Sam were blessed with their daughter, Emalee. She was very devoted to her daughter and encouraged her in all her endeavors, especially when it came to education. After Emalee was born, Eleanor went back to teaching, and even furthered her own education at Calvin College taking summer classes for the next 20 years to earn her Bachelor’s degree. Over the next 30 year of her teaching career Eleanor taught 4th grade in the Northview School District at Oakview Main and West Oakview Elementary Schools. Eventually, she got the opportunity to teach Art at Hills and Dales Middle School, which was her true calling. After a long and fulfilling career, Eleanor retired from teaching in 1978. Eleanor was a disciplined record keeper and saved just about everything including all 30 of her teaching contracts.

Family was the cornerstone of Eleanor’s life, and she was the “glue” that kept everyone together. She was the “hub” of communication as she kept in contact through phone calls and letters, and sent many birthday wishes and anniversary cards, using her artistic talents to make many of them herself. But then, there wasn’t a craft that Eleanor didn’t like. From basket weaving and painting driftwood Santas to decorating plates, weaving, quilting and making dried apple dolls – she tried and enjoyed them all. She made sure to share her passion with her grandchildren too, helping them make little memorable keepsakes whenever they visited. Always a teacher, Eleanor would keep her grandsons focused on education too, often quizzing them on their spelling words over the phone. When her daughter Emalee was young, Eleanor planned many of their vacations around what was being studied in school, like visiting the Civil War battlegrounds, cemetaries, homes and monuments in Washington DC. But there were purely fun trips too; they enjoyed visiting Myrtle Beach and traveling in their motorhome. Many wonderful memories were made with the family at their cottage on Pine Lake too. In their retirement years, Eleanor and Sam enjoyed spending winters in their trailer in sunny Florida, where they made many great friends. Eleanor also took a trip to the British Isles with her sister, Lynda, and other Weaver's Guild members which was truly memorable.

Obviously Eleanor considered it pure joy to care for her family. She was active in their lives and she created a home that was a place where love was plentiful. Sunday after church was reserved for wonderful family dinners, which she hosted. Eleanor was always in her glory surrounded by the love and smiles of her family, which often included her brothers and sister including nieces and nephews. When it came to her leisure time, Eleanor enjoyed working in her flower and vegetable gardens. Much of the bounty from her garden was canned or frozen, making for a very full freezer. Eleanor kept everything in her life simple, organized and comfortable. She liked being in a routine, and was a very dependable, trustworthy person. Growing up in the Depression helped teach Eleanor to be frugal all her life, which allowed her and Sam to live well in their retirement years with their family and friends. Being a doting grandmother was one of Eleanor’s favorite things to do, and she never turned down a chance to spend time with her grandsons. She enjoyed being with her close circle of friends too, many of whom she met through the Mr. and Mrs. Friendship Club in church. What gave Eleanor the greatest joy was sharing herself with her family and friends, offering them the most precious thing she possessed – her time. It is a gift none of them will ever forget.

Eleanor L. Gordon, age 87 of Grand Rapids, MI passed away on Saturday, April 23, 2011, after suffering for several years from Dementia, a form of Alzheimer's. She was preceded in death by her husband, Samuel Gordon. and her brothers and sister. Eleanor is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, EmaLee and John Birnie; grandchildren, Charlie Vonk, David (Melissa) Vonk; great-grandchildren: Garrett, Gavin, Madeline, Molly, Hayden, Henry, Harper Vonk; sisters-in-law: Joyce Slykhouse, Gloria Slykhouse, Judith Wiley-Slykhouse, Adeline Lineberger; brother-in-law, Russell T. Carter; and many nieces and nephews.

Friends and relatives are invited to visit with Eleanor’s family on Wednesday, May 18 at Second Congregational Church, 525 Cheshire NE, Grand Rapids, from 1-2 p.m. with a service to celebrate her life beginning at 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial contribution to Second Congregational Church or the Alzheimer's Association.

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