Obituary: Mihalic, Eleanore Marie
April 11, 1924 - February 3, 2016
On February 3, 2016, Eleanore Marie Mihalic passed away peacefully having been lovingly attended by her husband and daughter.
Eleanore was born April 11, 1924, to Thomas and Lena Grgurich in Verona, Pa.
Her family also included an older brother, Tom, and later a younger brother, Jim.
Eleanore was just 9 years old when her mother passed away.
Due to the scarcity and the distance of jobs during the Depression, her father placed Eleanore and her younger brother into the care of the Croatian Children’s Home in Des Plains, Illinois.
Despite these challenges Eleanore excelled at Maine Township High School (Class of 1942) where she enjoyed advanced literature, swimming, and playing the French horn.
She also performed with a Croatian dance troupe and built life-long friendships.
After graduation Eleanore worked as a secretary for the U.S. government’s reconstruction division from 1942 - 1946, making a lengthy daily commute by train from her home in Verona to Pittsburgh.
At a hometown dance, Eleanore met a young Navy officer, William Mihalic, who reported later that evening to his family that he had met the girl he was going to marry.
They exchanged photos and letters during his WWII duties overseas, became engaged on Easter of 1946, and married September 21, 1946.
An excellent homemaker and cook, Eleanore created wonderful homes wherever William’s job transfers took them.
Her kindness and graciousness cemented friendships which lasted many decades despite great distances.
Eleanore’s ability to focus on a person, regardless of their age, was a gift to all who met her.
As a life-long learner, she read daily, enjoyed art, expanded her cooking skills, kept current with world events, and traveled worldwide including most of the 50 states.
She was member of St. John Vianney Parish, Croatian Union 488, and PEO Chapter DR.
Eleanore nurtured her three children by quietly modeling life lessons and gifting them daily with her unwavering love and respect.
She instilled in her children and grandchildren a love of reading and learning.
Her grateful family includes her husband of 69 years, William and her children Bill (Barbara), Sue, and Jeff (Nancy) as well as grandchildren Mary (Ryen Sack), Joe, and Max.
Her family would like to recognize and thank the caregivers at Guardian Angel and Hospice of Spokane for the excellent care they gave Eleanore during her last months of life.
In lieu of flowers to honor Eleanore, the family suggests memorial gifts to St. John Vianney Catholic Church, Hospice of Spokane, or your favorite library.
A funeral mass will be celebrated at St. John Vianney on February 11, 2016, at 10:00 a.m. followed by a reception at the church.
Burial will be at Fairwood Memorial Park.