Harriet Eyles (Horn)

Harriet G.(Horn) Eyles never became an accomplished cook, perhaps because she was always in a hurry. Yet those who knew Harriet never seemed to mind. What they noticed, instead, were the feelings of comfort, kindness and generosity that surrounded them whenever they were in her presence.

The year was 1906 and America was in the middle of the most rapid period of change in world history. The American industrial revolution attracted people from across the country and around the globe to the newly thriving cities where jobs abounded. For John Tazelaar and his wife, Gertrude, of Grand Rapids, Michigan , their lives were also about to change as they anxiously awaited the birth of their second child. Much to their delight, their daughter, Harriet Gertrude, was born on December 22, 1906.

The second oldest of four children, Harriet spent her early childhood in Grand Rapids , but later moved to Holland, Michigan , when she was school age. Here she grew up in the Macatawa Park area, where Lake Macatawa meets Lake Michigan . Her father provided well for the family as an architect and, along with his wife, raised their children in the Third Reformed Church of Holland. Harriet attended the Holland Public Schools, and attended Holland High School .

Harriet came to know her future husband, Raymond Horn, who was a private driver for the wealthy folks who lived up on Macatawa Hills. He constantly drove up and down the hill to their homes and cottages, passing by Harriet's neighborhood, which led to their paths crossing on numerous occasions. Eventually, the couple met, fell in love and was happily married. Starting out, they lived in her parents' cottage on Lake Macatawa for a few years before buying their first home on 182 East 16th Street in Holland . Here the couple filled their home with the joy and laughter of four robust sons, Robert born in 1926, Russell in 1927, Roddy in 1929 and Kenneth in 1933. Then in 1950, the family of all boys unexpectedly grew to include two girls, Jackie and Kathie, who were 4 and 5 years old at the time. These girls were Harriet's nieces whose parents tragically died, and she and Ray lovingly opened their hearts and home to them, raising them as their own.

The family was members of the Sixth Reformed Church of Holland and during this time, Ray worked at Holland Street Department. Harriet had formerly worked at Fafner Bearing Corp. during World War II, though eventually took a job as a seamstress at Holland Cotton Products. Sadly, Ray suffered a debilitating stroke in the mid 1950s, at the age of 49, leaving Harriet to be the sole provider for her family, while raising their two daughters (her four sons were already grown) and be Ray's primary caregiver. This was undoubtedly a very difficult time for Harriet, yet through it all she remained strong, determined and never once complained about her plight. Some time later, Harriet married Robert Eyles, who left her a widow again in 1973.

As a wife and mother, Harriet had many talents around the house. She really enjoyed cooking, especially when people came over. However, Harriet had a tendency to burn food - either from the stove being on high or, to the other extreme, the food was well undercooked because the stove was not even on. Her family seemed to think this had to do with Harriet's pace in life - she was simply always in a hurry! This trait also carried over to her driving (or lack thereof). In fact, the two times that Harriet did drive, her family does not even speak about! She was just one big ball of nerves when it came to driving. Hence, wherever Harriet needed to go, she either walked or took the bus, making the roads a bit safer for all. One of Harriet's greatest passions in life was dolls. She absolutely loved them and even owned and operated a Doll Hospital in Holland on East 16th Street in the early 1960s.

Throughout her life, Harriet filled her days with things that matter most - family, friends and faith. She was a current member of the Calvary Reformed Church of Holland, and a devoted mother and grandmother to the people who brought her life extraordinary joy. She will be deeply missed.

Harriet G. (Horn) Eyles, age 98, of Holland, MI , died on Tuesday, June 21, 2005, at Rest Haven Care Center in Holland . She was preceded in death by her husbands, Raymond Horn and Robert Eyles; sons, Robert Horn in 2001, and Russell Horn in 2004; daughter, Jackie O'Shields in 2005; grandsons: Timothy Horn in 1988, and Kyle Brunink in 1977. Her family includes her children: Roddy and Vivian Horn of Holland, Kenneth and Georgiana Horn of California, Kathie and Ron Sterken of Holland; 19 grandchildren, 38 great grandchildren and 4 great great grandchildren; sister, Lois Van Oosterhout of Holland; daughter-in-law, Margie Horn of Holland; sister-in-law, Janet Tazelaar of Holland; nieces, nephews and cousins.

Visiting will be from 12-1 p.m. on Friday, June 24, at the Calvary Reformed Church of Holland. Services will be at 1 p.m. on Friday at the Calvary Reformed Church of Holland with the Rev. Paul Schmidt officiating. Burial will be in Pilgrim Home Cemetery . Arrangements made by the Mulder Chapel, Dykstra Life Story Funeral Home, 188 West 32nd Street, Holland, MI. Please visit Harriet's personal memory page at www.lifestorynet.com where you many share a memory, order flowers or make a memorial contribution to either Rest Haven Care Center or Calvary Reformed Church of Holland.