Eleanor Meyer

Eleanor was born in Detroit on May 3, 1938 to Helen (Putz) and John Lieblang. Her older siblings, Mary Ellen and Donald John, were patient as their parents fussed over Eleanor due to a serious Mastoid operation that almost took the baby’s life. The family moved from an apartment in Detroit to a new house in East Detroit where Eleanor walked to St. Veronica’s Elementary and Middle School. She took a bus to Servite Catholic High School in Detroit where she was well liked by both students and faculty. Eleanor loved sports and was a proud member of the Varsity Basketball team even though she was nicknamed, “Molasses”. She was elected Treasurer of her Senior Class but admitted, “I never saw a dime”. After graduation she worked for Merollis Chevrolet before marrying Henry John Meyer who was eight years her senior. The two met on a blind date arranged by a couple Eleanor babysat for while she was still a junior in high school. During the date Eleanor could not remember the name of the handsome former Marine so she called him “buddy” all night. He drove her home, three doors down, and was surprised when she jumped out of the car and went into her house without giving him a goodnight kiss. Smitten, he continued to call on her until she agreed to marry him after she graduated from high school. Henry and Eleanor were married on May 18, 1957. A year after the wedding the couple was blessed with a son, Timothy, followed by three girls, Patricia, Helen, and Jacqueline. As her children grew older, Eleanor worked at the Shores Hall and The Rink to make extra money to support her favorite pastime, shopping. She was a regular at the JC Penney clearance rack and purchased anything she believed was a good buy even if it didn’t fit her kids at the time. She loved a bargain! Eleanor became interested in Florida after her parents moved there in the mid 1970’s. Family vacations changed from camping trips to Florida road trips. The kids didn’t mind. Eleanor would have happily stayed in Florida after Hank’s retirement but for her grandchildren: Paul, Caralyn, and Alyssa whom she spoiled as grandmothers should. After Henry’s untimely death, Eleanor relocated to Holiday, Florida where she enjoyed a rich social life. She had many good friends, played bingo, went out to eat, shopped, and cruised in her used Cadillac. Eleanor was also well known for her love of taking photographs of everyone. She always had a camera in her purse and never hesitated to get it out even if the subjects were unwilling. Her, “You look fine”, was always proven wrong after the photos were developed. An unfortunate fall in 2023 left Eleanor with a broken hip and shoulder. Eleanor came back to Michigan where she continued to play Bingo, visit with family and friends, and shop. She was looking forward to a trip to Florida when fate intervened. She suffered a stroke on July 19th and passed away on July 25th surrounded by family. Eleanor was a kind and generous person who loved to please others. She was an eternal optimist who sincerely believed in the goodness of other people. She was a parishioner at St. Vincent DePaul’s in Florida and St. Keiren’s in Michigan and devoutly said the rosary daily. Eleanor is survived by her children: Timothy (Elizabeth) Meyer, Patricia Meyer, Helen (Rich Stroebe) Meyer, and Jacqueline Meyer. Her grandchildren: Paul Short, Caralyn Short, Alyssa (Christian Alberts) Short, Lindsey Meyer, and Cyndi Stroebe. Her sister: Mary Ellen LaBombard and dear friends: Marilyn Schnitzius and Bruno Buonsanto. Visitation Thursday, July 31st from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. with a 5:00 p.m. Rosary at Wm. Sullivan & Son Funeral Home, 8459 Hall Road (3 blocks EAST of Van Dyke Avenue on the NORTH side of Hall Road) Utica. Friday, August 1st she will lie in state at 9:30 a.m. until the time of her Funeral Mass at 10:00 a.m. at St. Kieran Catholic Church, 53600 Mound Road (between 24 and 25 Mile Roads on EAST side of Mound) Shelby Township, Michigan. Burial at Resurrection Cemetery, Clinton Township, Michigan. Please share a memory with her family at www.SullivanFuneralDirectors.com

Eleanor Meyer

May 3, 1938 - July 25, 2025