Eleen A. Tait

Eleen Annette Tait, age 95, of Pinnebog, died Wednesday, November 17, 2021, in the loving comfort of her family at home under hospice.

She was born April 9, 1926 in Detroit where she was raised.  She is the daughter of Sheldon and Georgia (Spear) Florence. She graduated from Pinnebog High School in 1944.  On January 25, 1947, she was united in marriage to James Leroy Tait at St. Felix Catholic Church, Pinnebog.  He preceded her in death on September 3, 2002.

Eleen is survived by her children Jim (Millie), Kathy Henderson, Chuck (Ruth), Terry Blair, Ruthie, Don, Margie (Mark) Torrey, Mary (Brian) Pryor and Paulette (Duane) Braun, her grandchildren, great grandchildren and great great grandson and many nieces and nephews. She was proceeded in death by her husband, Jim, in 2002, sisters Vera Glover, Kathryn Ruggers and Wilma Maille, daughter-in-law, Pat Tait and son-in-law, Jim Henderson.

She planned to join the Detroit Police Force like her Dad, until she met her future husband, James Leroy Tait. Within five days of that meeting, she transferred from Northeastern High School to Pinnebog High School. Eleen, Jim and six others made up the Class of 1944. Ten weeks after Jim returned from the Philippines, where he served in the Army, they were married at St. Felix Catholic Church in Pinnebog, January 25, 1947. Eleen had lived in Pinnebog with her Dad since graduation.

Joining the St. Felix Altar Society before her marriage, after joining the Catholic Faith, found her holding an office for 33 of the 36 years that she belonged until it was disbanded. Eleen worked at the chicken dinners, fish fries and funeral dinners as well as donating food for them. She served as Eucharistic Minister for 17 years and took Communion to several parishioners, through the years. Eleen was a Lector and a Church Committee member for 15 years each and taught Catechism for 3 years. She prayed the Rosary faithfully every day most of her adult life.

Eleen belonged to the Pinnebog P.T.A when the first of their nine children went there to school. She was a 4H Leader for over 25 years with the “It’s Easy When You Know How” 4H Club, having from 9 to 56 kids a year. She wrote newspaper articles about Altar Society and the Caseville American Legion and Auxiliary news. She joined the American Legion Auxiliary in 1966 and served  in every office, there, as well as in the 7 ^th District, which is 6 counties. When she served as 7 ^th District President in 1974-75, Jim served as 7 ^th District Commander. First husband and wife team for that Association. She served on the Department (State) Executive Board, that year, and a Department Chairman or Co-Chairman for Leadership the following three years, giving several seminars on the eastern side of Michigan. The next three years found her active on the State’s Junior Activities Programs, especially the pen-pals for junior girls. Eleen attended quite a few State Conventions when Jim, who was on the famous Caseville American Legion Blue Devil Drill Team, was there competing and years after. She attended one National Convention, several Fall Conferences. She attended three Legislative Dinners in Lansing where our State Senators and Representatives sat at the Caseville table. In 1977, she was elected secretary for the Caseville American Legion Auxiliary and held that office until 2015. She was a member of the Kinde V.F.W. Auxiliary for 20 years until it disbanded. She joined the Caseville Retirement Club in 2004 and served as secretary 15 years and is a member of the Caseville Eagles Auxiliary.

Jim loved to drive and Eleen had her camera ready when they toured 49 of our states as well as many places through Canada and Mexico. Their son, Chuck, served in the Army for 22 years and while state-side in KS and VA gave them a good excuse to visit. Daughter, Kathy, who served 26 years in the Air Force, gave them an extra reason to travel several times to NM, SC, TX and CA. Terry lived 17 years in CO. Margie lived in MA, NY and now, for several years, TX. Don went to FL in 1985 and the folks spent part of three winter vacations with him. Their adopted sister, Sister Judith Pask, lived in OH and NC. Eleen and Jim spent 18 winters in Brownsville, TX. Eleen’s sister, Wilma, lived in AZ so many trips went there too. John & Marjorie Champagne traveled many thousands of miles with them, as well as several other couples and folks. Some friends wanted to visit Nashville and the Grand Old Opry. When they went to Yellow Stone, they took two couples in their car with them! After Jim retired from his 26 years at Michigan Sugar in 1991, they took advantage of a special trip to Hawaii for the 50 ^th Anniversary of Pearl Harbor.

In 2007, Eleen was inspired to finally collect the names of military veterans from a three mile radius of Pinnebog. The “Honor Roll” can be seen at Heck’s Bar with over 300 names. She was an inspiration to all of her family and friends and those who served others. She collected bells and sea shells from all over. She worked hard in her gardens as she loved watching what God Created, including rocks. Her love of America, Michigan and Huron County, found her voting at every election since she turned 21.

There will be a private Mass of Thanksgiving for her full life of love for her family and friends and her great faith in Our Lord and His Church at a later date.