Elinor L. (Crouch) Harrigan, 93, of Traverse City, died Tuesday April 17, 2018 peacefully at home, surrounded by her children and most of her grandchildren. Elinor was a loving soul whose infectious passion for existence touched the lives of those she met with grace and kindness. She was an absolute saint on earth who is now soaring with the angels above, happy to have been called home to her family and friends who have gone on before her.
Elinor was one of thirteen children born to David and Lenna Mae (Lawson) Crouch on September 24, 1924. She graduated from St. Francis High School and on November 29, 1941. She married John A. Harrigan at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Hannah, Michigan. Elinor worked at Acme Line during the war while John was away serving in the Army. Elinor was a homemaker, caterer, nanny, and house keeper to many busy families in the Traverse City and Interlochen area over the years. She very much enjoyed helping others and played a role in raising many of her client's children, long before nannies were the norm.
A former member of St. Francis Catholic Church, Elinor was a past President of St. Francis Altar Society. Elinor was an instrumental influence in the formation of St. Patrick Parish, where she was a member since its inception. Elinor was also a past Secretary and President of St. Patrick's Women's Guild. She was a life member of the VFW Auxiliary 2780 and a life member of the Buckley Old Engine Club, where she enjoyed working each year at the St. Patrick's food booth. She also enjoyed baking and cooking large family dinners, gardening then canning and freezing her own vegetables and fruits, sewing, working on the cross word puzzle in the daily paper while listening to Jack O'Malley and Joel Frank on WTCM. She was also a member of the WTCM Loyal Listeners Club and often won contests on the air. She was an avid bird watcher from her living room picture window, bringing in loads of birds with her home-made suet cake, sugar water and orange wedges. Her favorite birds were the bluebirds, cardinals, and hummingbirds. Her bird food would also attract squirrels, gophers, bunnies, and an occasional bear or two. In her final days at home, she was visited by two deer, many birds, a bunny, and a squirrel, in spite of the large snowfall and ice storm.
A small woman by nature with a big presence, she and John raised seven children on their farm. Elinor is survived by six of her children, John Jr. of Grawn, Linda (Keith Begin) Wurm, Thomas (Deborah), and Stephen (Sharon) all of Traverse City, Daniel (Tammy) of Grawn, and Melanie (Kurt) Coesens of Milford, and her thirteen grandchildren, Melinda, Katherine, Isaac, Bethany, Rebekah, Edward, Austin, Blake, Paige, Shanley, Caitlin, Brenden, and Riley. She was also great-grandmother to five great-grandchildren; McKade, Jackson, Lillian, Emily and Joshua. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews, and cousins. She was lucky enough to call Steven Wurm her honorary son, and Christopher, Charles, and Laura Rennie her honorary grandchildren. Elinor was preceded in death by her son David, husband John, parents, and twelve siblings. Elinor's family meant everything to her and we all knew we were loved unconditionally by her warm and caring nature.
Visitation will take place on Thursday, April 26th, 2018 from 5-8 pm at the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home, with a scripture service taking place at 7:00 pm. The mass of Resurrection will be celebrated on Friday, April 27th, 2018 at 11 am at St. Patrick Catholic Church, with visitation one hour prior to the mass. Burial will take place later in the spring.
Memorial contributions in Elinor's name may be directed to the St. Patrick's Women's Guild or to the Fr. Fred Foundation. The family would like to thank Elinor's doctors and nurses for their exceptional care and compassion, especially Debbie Zinger from Munson Hospice as well as Amanda and Mayelo from Comfort Keepers. A special thank you to Fr. Greg for visiting Mom at the hospital. Our mother's faith was very important to her, every day of her life. Deacon Rene Hoenscheid, your presence every day at Mom's bedside was such a comfort to her and our whole family. We are so very thankful for your friendship and kindness.
As her children, we feel privileged to have had her in our lives for so many years. She will be eternally missed, and remembered as the best mother in the world, and her memory will be in our hearts forever. Elinor touched the lives of so many with her kindness and love for everyone around her. She was always positive no matter what her burden, including her last day on earth.