Eleanor M. George

Eleanor “Ellie” Jane Maurer George passed away peacefully on July 1, 2021 at her daughter’s house, at the age of 96, after a brief stay following a stroke. Eleanor was born on August 23, 1924 in Springfield, Ill. Eleanor was preceded in death by her parents, August Maurer and Mae Young; younger brother, Robert; husband James; son-in-law, John Brass; all of her in-laws; and nephew Michael George. In 1945, she married James Leo George in Detroit, Michigan. Her husband was a room boarder at her mother’s house. In 1949, her only child Susan Lynn, was born. While primarily a loving wife and a caring mother, she was also very active in volunteer work not only in her church and the community. She was presented with several community service awards, one from Henry Ford in the 1960’s and then most recently the Alice Award from St. James Episcopal Church on Grosse Ile, in 2015. The award was presented to her for quietly and constantly working to make the church and its functions a well-oiled machine. It is given to those who came with Alice Farrell and those after her who quietly see what needs to be done and do it to the glory of God. Even after moving off of Grosse Ile, the church and its people were a constant comfort to her. She was best known for her excellent ironing of the alter linens. Throughout the years, she would help with the church rummage sale and greens market, keeping track of the incoming proceeds. Outside of volunteering, she found much joy in her weekly “Stitch Girls” group. They would get together and work on their knitting and other projects. Even as recently as 2020, she was helping to knit hats for the homeless in Toledo. Eleanor enjoyed spending time at the Grosse Ile Yacht club sitting on the patio enjoying the view. Isolation during the pandemic was very hard on Ellie. Quarantined and kept from those that she loved and cared for took a toll on her. On her last birthday, her family celebrated outside her apartment on her balcony with a table full of gifts and cupcakes. She is survived by her daughter, Susan Brass ( d. John); her granddaughter, Rebecca (Jarrett) Pettis; and her grandson, Joshua (Jessica) Brass. She has 6 great-grandchildren, Jessica and Justin (Caitlin) Pettis, Grace, Kacie, John and Luke Brass; 2 great-great-grandchildren, Colton and Kylie. Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren referred to her as Gigi! She also has 6 surviving nieces and nephews; 11 great-nieces and nephews and 16 great-great-nieces and nephews. Services will be held on August 14 at 1 pm at St. James Episcopal Church, Grosse Ile Michigan. Donations can be made to St. James Episcopal Church, Grosse Ile or Hospice of Northwest Ohio.