"Heartfelt condolences from the Director and staff at Munising School Public Library. Elaine was a delight to know. "
In loving memory of
ELAINE CLAIRE HEAVILAND
January 14, 1935 - May 20, 2020
Elaine C. Heaviland, 85, of Munising and Marquette, passed away Wednesday morning, May 20, 2020 at Harbour View Assisted Living in Munising.
Elaine was born on January 14, 1935 in Trenton, Michigan, a daughter of the late John Lewis and Zella Lucille (Pope) Higgins. She attended Trenton Public Schools and graduated from Slocum Truax High School in Trenton in 1952 where she was homecoming queen her senior year. Elaine then attended Western Michigan University from 1952-54. In 1954 she was Miss Congeniality at Western.
In 1954, she left Western to become a model for the Ernst Kern Company. In 1955 she married her college sweetheart and settled in San Antonio, Texas. Together they had two sons, Stephen James and Thomas John. The family returned to Trenton, Michigan and Elaine became a certified water safety instructor. She taught water safety classes for the American Red Cross, Detroit Chapter. She later became the Physical Education and Swimming instructor for the Edison Institute, Greenfield Village Schools, Dearborn, Michigan, a historic site developed by Henry Ford and world headquarters of Ford Motor Company.
For eight years Elaine taught physical education and swimming at the Greenfield Village School, holding weekly employee family nights of activities and swimming. Summers were spent managing the Dearborn Inn swimming pool teaching swimming, diving and tennis. While living and teaching in Dearborn she received an Associate's degree from Henry Ford Community College.
The family moved to Marquette in 1970 and Elaine started teaching physical education after completing a degree from Northern Michigan University.
Along with teaching at Marquette Senior High School, Elaine was the woman's varsity golf coach and co-supervised the student activities and officiated boys and girls basketball games. Some summers Elaine volunteered as the waterfront director for the Upper Peninsula Girl Scouts in helping them obtain their first aid badges. She life guarded many scouts and taught many swimming lessons throughout the 1960's and 70's.
She was at MSHS when she was asked to head the girls physical education and coaching departments at Graveraet Junior High. She coached girls basketball, gymnastics, the cheerleaders, and the boys and girls track and field team.
Elaine passed the national teachers exam, qualifying her to teach in the State of South Carolina. She was hired by the Charleston County School District to teach first grade. After four years she moved into a second grade position. While teaching elementary education, she was the head diving coach for the College of Charleston, South Carolina Division I.
She returned to the Upper Peninsula retiring at her home on AuTrain Lake. She loved spending time with her family and friends on the lake. Her love of swimming continued long into her retirement years. In her free time, Elaine enjoyed reading the bible daily and sharing the Word with family and friends. Elaine was a lifelong Detroit Red Wings fan and loved college football.
Elaine is survived by her two sons, Stephen (Aimee Lanphere) Heaviland of Evanston, IL and Thomas (Joanne) Heaviland of Carlsbad, CA; two grandchildren, Christian Heaviland and Gianna Heaviland. Preceding her in death besides her parents was a brother, Vern Higgins.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, August 14th at 11 a.m. in St. Christopher Catholic Church with the Rev. Greg Heikkala officiating. The Heaviland family will greet relatives and friends one hour prior to the Mass in the church. Elaine's mass will be livestreamed at https://my.gather.app/remember/elaine-heaviland
Those wishing to make an expression of sympathy are kindly asked to consider St. Christopher Catholic Church, 2372 Badger Street, Marquette, MI 49855 in Mrs. Heaviland's memory.
Canale-Tonella Funeral Home and Cremation Services is assisting the Heaviland family where memories may be shared at canalefuneral.com.
Tributes
"Elaine was a Joy to know, filled with Grace and Faith in her Creator. May she truly rest in peace with her friend Jesus. "
"My memories of Elaine go back to 1965 when I was working with Elaine at the Dearborn Inn swimming pool. Her contagious smile and abundant energy fueled my days. As our friendship grew her sons Steve and Tom became very dear to me. I was lucky to help by babysitting them on numerous occasions. We spent many days together trying to keep up with Elaine and her many activities. My love for all of the Heavilands grew over the years. Elaine\'s laughter and cheer filled and enriched our lives. May she finally rest in the peace that she deserves. I will always remember Elaine and the boys and how they impacted how I live my life. Thank you, my friend, for the important role you played in my development. God Bless you all. Remember the smiles and cherish the memories. Most Sincerely, Kathy Harenda"
"Steve and Tom , so sorry for your loss. Time will heal and find memories will remain. Tom Adamini Waconia MN."
"tom and Steve I remember her great smile .You and your family are in our prayers !"
"Steve and Tom, hang in there - your mom and dad did a great job raising you guys - Jerry"
"Steve and Tom, so sorry to see of your mothers passing. Always a smile and a friendly hello. May she rest in peace. Will be lifting the family up in prayer"
"Steve and Tom, so sorry to see your mom\'s passing. I always remember her with a smile and happy greeting. May she rest in peace. Will be lifting up the family in prayer"
"Elaine was a lady of Grace with a life well lived. Please offer Masses for her soul. Eternal rest grant unto Elaine O Lord and let perpetual light shine upon her. May her soul and the Souls of all the Faithful departed through the Mercy of God rest in peace. Amen!"
"Dear Steve, Tom & Family: Elaine was a wonderful person, a fellow teacher of the highest caliber, and she raised two great kids. I was proud to have known her and worked with her for many years. My wife and I got to see her at Harbour View and spend some time with her. I am sure you all are very proud of your mother and grandmother. God bless her."
"I am so sorry for your loss Steve and Tom. Your mom was such a kind and fun loving person. Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers."
"I have such respect for Elaine....she was a trailblazer. When she met an obstacle in life...most take an easy detour....Not Elaine...she would blaze a path for all to follow!! She was ambitious and loved life, but her deep love for her Sons and family was only surpassed for her deep love for her Lord? If you had the privilege of knowing Elaine you would know her pride for her Sons, Daughter-in-laws and Grandchildren. She was realist and knew that location could not stop heart felt love. And tho distance made it difficult her Sons were always there for her... I have to smile as I write this as I am a mother and our interactions with our children will always be as a parent:) And not always to their pleasure:) She wasn\'t afraid to make WAVES.... I learned valuable life lessons watching this courageous dear friend....and I know I will see her sweet face with the many \"looks\" that said a million words....and it will make my heart smile. As I told her many times the Lord\'s not ready for you Elaine...and I dare say He\'s got his hands full now?"
"When I think back on growing up in Marquette,I often think about my years at Graveraet when it was the Middle School and Mrs. Heaviland was my teacher and my gymnastics coach. You just instinctively knew that she really wanted to be there, to inspire us to do better, to be our best. She was a one of kind teacher / coach, and I am sincerely grateful to have known her for that short period of time. "
"Mrs Heaviland was a beautiful person and a wonderful teacher. She will be missed. Thoughts to all of the family. Connie (Crump) Turzak"