BELFAST – Eleanor B. Grove, 93, passed away Sept. 5, 2010, at home. She was born May 8, 1917, on the family farm “down on the avenue,” to Percy and Lillian (Bassett) Bradford. She attended area schools and on April 15, 1942, married Arthur “Mike” Grove. She began her professional career working for Woolworth’s department store, where she filled in as store manager during World War II. After the service men returned home and took over their previous positions, she went on to work for Merrill Trust Bank for a short time. One day the owner of Mathews Brothers asked her if she would like to be their bookkeeper and she worked for them for more than 30 years. In fact, even after retiring, bookkeeping remained one of her favorite pastimes. A member of Order of the Eastern Star for more than 50 years, she was also a generous donator to many Belfast charities and fund drives. She was elected twice to serve as a school board member for SAD 34, and was a member of the first school board for Waldo County Technical Center. Eleanor was the oldest and longest member of St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church. She was an avid reader and knew the name of every dog in the neighborhood and beyond. In addition to her parents and eight older siblings, she was predeceased by her husband of 49 years, Mike. She is survived by one daughter, Agnes “Jill” Harvey and her husband, Randall, of Lincolnville and their children, Janet of Nashville, Tenn., Gregory and his wife, Jacqueline, of Largo, Fla., and Douglas and his wife, Elizabeth, and his son, Zachary, of Palm Bay, Fla.; and one son, Michael, and his wife, Jane Mason, of Hallowell and her children, Adam Stone of Augusta, Lacey Vassar of Topsham and Amy Finnen and her daughter, Danelle, of Topsham. Visitation for family and friends will be 4-6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 16, at Crabiel-Riposta Funeral Home, 182 Waldo Ave., Belfast. A graveside memorial service will be held 11 a.m. Friday, Sept. 17, at Grove Cemetery, Belfast. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Eleanor’s memory to Waldo County Home Health & Hospice, P.O. Box 407, Belfast, ME 04915 or a charity of your choice. When recently asked if she believed in an afterlife, Eleanor stated, “I don’t know, but I’m curious to find out!”
ELEANOR B. GROVE
