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Eleanor (Antor) Higgins

December 15, 1919 - October 27, 2014
Grand Rapids, MI

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Visitation

Thursday, October 30, 2014
5:00 PM to 9:00 PM EDT
Heritage Life Story Funeral Homes
Van Strien Creston Chapel
1833 Plainfield Ave., N.E
Grand Rapids, MI 49505
(616) 361-2613

Rosary will be prayed beginning at 7 PM

Driving Directions

Service

Friday, October 31, 2014
11:00 AM EDT
St. Jude Parish
1120 4 Mile Road NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49525
Map

Contributions


At the family's request memorial contributions are to be made to those listed below. Please forward payment directly to the memorial of your choice.

St. Jude Parish
1120 4 Mile Road NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49525

Flowers


Below is the contact information for a florist recommended by the funeral home.

Ball Park Floral
8 Valley Ave.
Grand Rapids, MI 49504
(616) 459-3409
Driving Directions
Web Site

Life Story / Obituary


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Throughout her long life, Eleanor Higgins lived through times of want and days of plenty. She experienced the travesties of war along with everyday triumphs, and some of life's more challenging times which went hand-in-hand with some of the greatest joys. Through it all, and with deep faith, Eleanor found the good in everyone. She appreciated the many blessings life brought her way, especially the family she loved dearly. With ways all her own, she greeted each new day with a genuine, heartfelt smile, and bestowed loving kindness towards all. Although she will be deeply missed, loving thoughts of her will continue to pave memories way.

Eleanor's story began in the year 1919 at a time when winter was tightening its' grip. Woodrow Wilson was the 28th President, and the dial telephone was first introduced while the pogo stick was the favorite of neighborhood children everywhere. It was an especially joyful time in rural Alpine Township at the family home of Leo Joseph and Anna Marie (Dietrich) Antor when on December 15, 1919, they welcomed the birth of their little girl, Eleanor Marie into their arms.

Born and raised on Vinton Avenue where the Antors made their home, Eleanor was the firstborn and only daughter of eventually six children. She welcomed her younger brothers, Gerald, Arnold, Robert, Leo, and Charles, with whom she always remained close. She grew up on their family farm where each member of the family did their part. For recreation, memorable family camping trips were enjoyed together at Hess Lake along with extended family members, too.

Eleanor also helped out with her siblings along with tending to her studies. She attended Holy Trinity grade school, and graduated from Sparta High School before taking several classes at Western Michigan University. However, when her mother became ill and sadly died of cancer in 1943, Eleanor helped with her youngest brothers as they were still quite young.

Eventually, Eleanor secured a secretarial job and rented an apartment to call her own. While at work one day, she took notice of a handsome young man, Lawrence "Larry" Higgins who happened to live just a few houses down from her. After finally mustering up enough nerve, she politely asked if she could ride to work and back home with him. With true affection, Eleanor and Larry dated for about eight months before sharing vows of marriage on June 16, 1951 at St. Andrews Cathedral. Together they enjoyed a wonderful honeymoon in Washington, D.C. and at Niagara Falls.

For many years, Eleanor and Larry lived on the north side of Grand Rapids. She continued working as a secretary at St. Mary's Hospital where she remained for a number of years before taking on a few other positions in the medical field. They relocated to Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania for Larry's job where they remained for nearly 30 years of their lives together. Despite the distance, Eleanor kept up with her family back home in Michigan. She took a keen interest in the lives of her siblings, as well as her nieces and nephews, and made every effort to visit to share in all the important family events.

Even though she and Larry never had any children of their own, they helped and played an integral role in the lives of several children along the way. Chuck lived with them during his high school years, and they lovingly took in a niece for many years, as well. With her youngest siblings and many nieces and nephews, Eleanor was much more to them than an aunt or sister. She served as a loving role model and was more like a mother to several family members.

Throughout the years, Eleanor and Larry enjoyed square dancing and skiing. With a penchant for travel, they visited destinations such as Europe and took several tours through the U.S. and Canada, along with enjoying the sandy beaches of Hawaii. They were active members of their church, most recently St. Jude Parish in Grand Rapids. Readily available to help, Eleanor volunteered her time and talents whenever possible.

As they were getting on in age, Eleanor and Larry returned to Grand Rapids near the turn of the century with a desire to be closer to their families. When Larry passed away in 2012, Eleanor held fast to her faith. She loved attending Mass every Sunday, and spending time with the family she adored.

When Eleanor could no longer live on her own, she moved to Vista Springs in 2013. She was well liked there, and always had a kind word for everyone. She especially enjoyed the many activities offered, and was sure to be at the bingo games and ice cream socials. Always the first to admit she couldn't eat just one, Eleanor loved her chocolates.

Ever dedicated to her family, Eleanor was a constant source of strength, wisdom and encouragement in the lives around her. She never uttered a bad word about anyone, and looked for the good in people. Eleanor was loving, caring and a friend to all who knew her. And with glowing kindness, her smile could brighten the days of all. A very special blessing in the lives of those who knew and loved her, Eleanor will be sorely missed and fondly remembered.

Eleanor Marie (Antor) Higgins, age 94 of Grand Rapids, passed away on Monday, October 27, 2014. She was preceded in death by her husband, Lawrence; and by her brothers, Gerald, Arnold, Robert and Leo Antor. She is survived by her brother, Charles (Sherri) Antor; and her in-laws: Mary Antor, Patricia Antor, Roger and Oma Higgins, and Pat Higgins; many nieces and nephews. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, October 31, 2014, 11:00 AM at St. Jude Catholic Church, 1120 4 Mile Road NE. Interment in Holy Trinity Cemetery. Friends are invited to visit with her family from 5-9 PM on Thursday, October 30 at Heritage Life Story Funeral Home-Van Strien Creston Chapel, 1833 Plainfield NE where the Rosary will be prayed beginning at 7:00 PM. Friends may also visit with her family on Friday at the church from 10:00 AM until the service. For those who wish, memorial contributions to St. Jude Catholic Church are appreciated. To read more about Eleanor, to share a memory or to sign her online guestbook, please visit www.lifestorynet.com.

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