Eloise Mae Born

Sometimes it's hard to tell the influence a person has on our lives until they are gone. Through the compassion of tough love, Eloise Born was a woman who was not afraid to say what was on her mind. She called things the way that she saw them and made no apologies for it. She loved her family and she loved her friends. Eloise was a woman of strength and dedication. This is a story of that life that she lived. It was the year 1916 and WWI was at full throttle on its way to become known as the Great War. This was the year that the longest and possibly the deadliest battle of the war took place, the Battle of Verdun. Congress established the U.S. National Park Service and agreed to a plan that would expand our nation's military over the next five years in light of the ensuing conflict. But all of these things were in the background for parents William and Hazel (Goff) Young. For in their house in Muskegon they were awaiting the arrival of their first child. On the 22nd of November, 1916, she came and they gave her the name, Eloise. Eloise's father, William was the founder of the Muskegon Tool and Die Company while her mother stayed home with her and with her sister Phyllis when she came along. Eloise attended and graduated from Muskegon Heights High School in 1935. After high school, Eloise attended Muskegon Junior College to become a secretary. Once her training was complete she was hired at Kaydon as none other than a secretary. It was while she was working at Kaydon that she met John Born. He had learned how to cook in the US Army during World War II and his job was running the cafeteria there at Kaydon. It remains unclear how they met as is the same with the details of their engagement but there is no doubt that they found love. It was on the 16th of August, 1947, John and Eloise were joined together in holy matrimony. After spending a number of years as a couple they decided to have children and along came their son William. Eloise was a terrific mother and very active in William's life. From being involved in the PTA and being a Room Mother in his class to helping with Cub Scouts and teaching Sunday School, Eloise, was committed to being there for Bill in all areas of his childhood. She also found time to participate as a member of St. Paul's Episcopal Church and it's 7th Guild. In her early twenties Eloise lost much of her hearing, but put forth the effort to overcome the difficulties involved to become a very successful secretary. Aided by amplified telephones and masterfully honing the skill of lip reading, Eloise saw through her career by taking her jobs seriously and by putting in hard work. She held the office of President for the local chapter of the National Secretary's Association. She later worked as a secretary for Victory Industries and finally for the Muskegon Elks Lodge where John was an active member. Because of her hearing loss, Eloise found great entertainment in reading. There was some watching of close captioned TV, but it never took the place of her love for reading. She was never one to get rid of books, so as she got older, her husband and son would have to sneak boxes out of the house, just to clean the basement. Eloise was a very compassionate person and loved to help those who were in need. Her father died in his early sixties and she had her mother move in with the family, where she lived for the rest of her life. Eloise and John were also very active volunteers in the community. John would bake wonderful cookies, pies, cakes, and breads then Eloise would package them up and the two of them would deliver them to friends, those in nursing homes, shut ins, or simply someone in need. Eloise was a strong woman who did things on her time and in her own way. She was not afraid to share her opinion with you regardless of who you were or what the subject matter. Whether you were a good friend, waitress at a restaurant, or a funeral director she just might comment on your weight or what you were wearing. But she meant no harm, she was simply blunt and to the point, just expressing her observations. Three grandchildren, Jeffrey, Sarah, and Matthew had won their hearts and spending time with them was something that John and Eloise loved more than anything. They went to as many of their baseball and basketball games as they could. Eloise would always take paper and pencil to the games and keep box scores and statistics so the kids would know how they did. Even when her age made it difficult to get into the stands, and her family had to help her, she still made sure that she was there. In their later years they changed faith communities from St. Paul's to St. Gregory's Episcopal Church and became regular attendees. John had health problems later in his life and had trouble walking. Eloise took very good care of her husband as he neared the end of his life. It was just last August that John left this world. As we now mourn Eloise's own death and celebrate her life we look to the life that she shared with us all. A life of compassion, of blunt honesty, and of love is what she gave us. Let her life and spirit live on within us for the rest of our lives. Mrs. Eloise M. Born died Thursday, January 26, 2006. She was preceded in death by her husband, John in 2005 and by her younger sister, Phyllis Guerriero. Eloise's family includes one son, William (Debra) Born of Caledonia, MI; three grandchildren, Jeffery (Katie) Born, Sarah (Brian) Hammer and Matthew Born. Friends may visit with Eloise's family on Sunday, January 29, 2006 from 2 to 4 PM and again from 6 to 8 PM at Clock Funeral Home - Muskegon. A Lifestory Service will be held for her on Monday, January 30, 2006, 1:00 PM at St. Gregory's Episcopal Church with Fr. Charles Homeyer officiating. Interment will be at the Mona View Cemetery. Please visit Eloise's personal memory page at www.lifestorynet.com where you may share a favorite memory, send flowers, or make a memorial contribution to Hospice of Holland Home or Holy Cross Episcopal Church.