Eleanor Lawson

Her family knew there was something special about Eleanor Lois from the very beginning. An intelligent young woman, Eleanor was not afraid to express herself and to be an individual. She excelled in academics, music and even sports. At a time when many other girls were fortunate to even complete their high school education, Eleanor not only earned her high school diploma, but went on to earn her RN degree and to serve in the United States Navy. Eleanor spent a lifetime serving the community as a caring and compassionate nurse. She did all this, yet somehow managed to be an involved wife and mother to her four children. Hard working and ambitious, Eleanor succeeded in all aspects of her life.

Eleanor Lois (Howe) Lawson, was born in the rural town of Covert, Michigan, on August 22, 1925, to proud parents Raymond Howe and Marie Charlotte Markstrom. Eleanor was the second of four children. She had an older sister and eventually two younger brothers. The family lived on a farm and Raymond Howe split his time between working at home and working in the shop as a tool and die maker. The Howe’s raised dairy cows and chickens, and also grew fruit trees and a variety of summer produce. During the summer months they took the fruits and other crops into the town co-op.

Both Eleanor’s mother and father were of Swedish ancestry, and the family regularly attended the local Lutheran church. Her mother stayed home to raise the children, and became know as the “best cook in the world,” by Eleanor’s standards. Although the Howe family worked hard, times were not always easy. This was particularly true during the 1930’s, a decade when the Great Depression swept the nation, many times leaving families homeless and unemployed. The family survived and even offered shelter to migrant workers.

Eleanor attended the local one room schoolhouse through the eighth grade, when she then moved to the Covert High School to complete her secondary education. Growing up, Eleanor was a bit of a tomboy. As a youth, one of her favorite activities was climbing trees. Usually this was strictly for fun, although there was a time or two when Eleanor used it to escape her father’s reach when she feared punishment. One of Eleanor’s most vivid childhood memories was the time she led her Shetland pony up the stairs to the second level of the family farmhouse. Of course Eleanor found that it was a bit harder to get her pony to go back down the stairs! With a little coaxing and a lot of work, her father and the hired farmhand managed to get the pony back to level ground.

Eleanor enjoyed sports, particularly the game of basketball. Although there was never a girl’s high school basketball team, she would shoot hoops with neighborhood friends and her own siblings after school and during the summers. Eleanor did become a cheerleader. She said she liked to be loud, and cheerleading gave her an excuse to do exactly that!

Exposed to her mother’s piano playing at an early age, Eleanor developed an interest in music as well. She took up playing the trombone, and also learned to play the bugle. Rumor has it that Eleanor could play a mean Taps! Eleanor’s musical training did not come without expense. Her father went an entire winter without a winter coat so that he could afford to buy Eleanor’s trombone. Eleanor kept her original trombone and bugle her entire life. More importantly, Eleanor’s love for music endured a lifetime, and inspired her own children to cultivate their musical tastes and talents.

Following her graduation from Covert High School, Eleanor felt a calling to become a nurse and to volunteer her services in the Armed Forces. With America now in the midst of WWII, Eleanor felt a duty to serve her country. She briefly attended Wayne State University in Detroit, and then finished her RN degree at a nursing school in Chicago. Eleanor attended nursing school with the aid of the US Navy, and after completion of her degree she served as a lieutenant. Although Eleanor had hoped to serve during WWII, the war had already ended. She was able to serve her time in the state’s, at Douglas Hospital.

Eleanor was doing well for herself. She had a good education and a nursing degree, steady employment, and a brand new black 1948 Ford Coupe. One day, on a routine stop to fuel up her shiny coupe, Eleanor met Troy Junior Lawson. She was immediately struck by Troy’s gorgeous looks and he proceeded to sweep her off her feet. Eleanor commented on how she thought he looked a lot like Elvis.

Troy’s life dream was to become a pilot. He joined the Army and later the Marines. Troy often flew his plane over the hospital where Eleanor worked, and she would wave pillow cases out the window to greet him. After dating for a while the couple married on August 8, 1950. They had their first child, a daughter named Lynette, in 1951, followed by daughter Sandra in 1953, son Richard in 1956 and son Craig in 1957. Troy and Eleanor also had a set of twins named Jackie and Judy, however, tragically neither child survived beyond three days.

Troy continued to serve in the Marines until his eventual discharge in 1959. Eleanor and the children always stayed with Troy during his time of service. Following Troy’s discharge the family moved back to western Michigan. Eleanor worked full-time as an RN at South Haven Hospital. She later worked at the Holland Hospital and Birchwood, before settling into a longtime nursing position as company nurse for General Electric. It was from this job that she would retire, many years later, in 1982.

At first, the family rented a house, at 43 East 16th Street in Holland, which they eventually purchased. Troy and Eleanor lived in that same house for over 30 years. Eleanor often worked double shifts at the hospital or at GE, and found herself at work more than she was at home. Even though she worked long hours, she always made it a point to fulfill her role as a mother. Eleanor never professed to be the great cook that her own mother was, but she did have her own specialty. Her frozen pot pies became a family favorite at the Lawson house.

Eleanor stressed the importance of having strong faith to her children, and she always made sure her children were in church and Sunday school every week. They attended services at the Wesleyan church in Holland, where Eleanor regarded Pastor Baily as a very proper, sweet man and inspirational speaker.

Eleanor was never short on hugs and kisses for her children. She gave them generously. Eleanor encouraged her children to put their faith in God during hard times, and to always pray for strength and courage. Her children acknowledged that their mother was the glue that held the family together and that she played the role of the disciplinarian.

Despite her busy work schedule, Eleanor always made time for family. In fact, she specifically reserved at least one night a week, every other week (when Troy got paid), for “family night.” The Lawson’s always had dinner at Russ’s drive in restaurant on these nights. Every summer the family spent time camping at the Light House Park, in Northport, MI. They loaded up the family station wagon, headed out to the park and pitched two tents to sleep the six of them.

Eleanor’s life was never easy, but she worked hard and prayed hard to get through the rough times. She was the type of person that always put others before herself. Her generous and caring nature endured a lifetime. Many referred to her as Saint Eleanor, which she would quickly shrug off. In her later years, Eleanor watched as her husband struggled with dementia. She cared for him as long as she could, but unfortunately she had to place him in an assisted care nursing home when she could no longer provide for all of his medical needs. She was sure to visit Troy regularly, almost daily, and made an effort to take him out to lunches to get him out for a while.

Eleanor’s favorite possessions were her beautiful grandchildren. However, some would argue that her white gloves and nurse’s cap were a close second. These items were sacred to Eleanor, and she took care in washing and starching the gloves and cap. She made it clear to others that they were not to touch these precious uniform pieces.

Eleanor’s main hobby was simply spending time with family. She was a fan of big band music. Among her favorite musical talents were Mitch Miller, Lawrence Welk, Berl Ives and Charlie Pride. She was also a huge fan of the Scottsville Clown Band. She was a member of the Ladies Auxiliary of VFW Post 2144 of Holland. Faith remained of utmost importance to Eleanor as well, and she often recited the Lord’s Prayer, or engaged in singing a rendition of her favorite hymn, Amazing Grace, to demonstrate her deep devotion to the Lord.

Eleanor Lois Lawson, of Holland, passed away on Wednesday, June 9, 2004, at the age of 78. Surviving Eleanor is her husband of 54 years, Troy Junior Lawson, of Holland; her children, Lynette (Paul) Houting of West Olive, MI, Sandra (Tom) Hamilton, Richard (Karen) Lawson and Craig Lawson, all of Holland, MI; 14 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren. Also surviving Eleanor is her sister, Betty Marfia of Saugatuck, MI.; brother Gene Howe of Whiskey Creek, MI; her in-laws, Tootsie (Ed) Barr of Bath, MI, Toby (Barbara) Lawson of Wyoming, MI, Chuck Lawson of Traverse City, MI., Jean Lawson of Suttons Bay, MI, and Betty Lawson of Traverse City, MI, as well as several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Services will be held at 11:00 am on Friday, June 11, 2004, at Dykstra Life Story Funeral Home (Mulder Chapel - 188 West 32nd Street, Holland, MI) with the Rev. Robert Thurmond officiating. Burial will be in Pilgrim Home Cemetery. Friends are invited to visit with family from 7-9 pm, Thursday, June 10, at the Mulder Chapel. To read Eleanor’s complete life story, post a memory, send flowers or make a donation to Haven Park Christian Nursing Home, please visit her personal webpage at www.lifestorynet.com.

A truly bright and charismatic woman, Eleanor’s constant devotion to her family, her work and her Lord, were a shining example to all.