Eleanor Ann Herrick

Eleanor, "Ms. Elie" was blessed with a beautiful youthful appearance all of her life. She married handsome “Ted” Myron Theodore Herrick on 5/16/1953. He later became a decorated veteran, serving during the Korean War. She worked as his full time caregiver until he passed on 8/14/1988; they were married 35 years, and he had paraplegia. As a widow, she obtained her GED and Associates Degree in Medical Science. Eleanor later worked at St. Vincent’s Hospital in Toledo, Ohio as a unit clerk until she was able to retire. In 2002, she downsized and sold her house in Maumee, OH, moved to North Carolina and lived out the rest of her years in a cute cottage house she bought in Asheboro, NC about a 15 minute drive from her only daughter, Debra Jean (Herrick) & Son-in-Law T.C. McCahan. After she moved closer to Debra & Chris, Eleanor was a cheer leader and best friend to Debra and her family. She loved her time spent with Debra and Chris, their daughter, Marissa Leigh McCahan and her children in North Carolina.

Eleanor traveled with Ted when they were married. Debra had the privilege of walking on beautiful beaches with Eleanor in places like California, Hawaii, Florida, Georgia and North Carolina. Her proudest accomplishment was her daughter. Even though afraid, she took horseback riding lessons with her when Debra was young because she loved horses. She loved reading books and later discussing them. She belonged to a book club at the Randolph County Public Library in Asheboro, NC. Eleanor had a great, classy sense of style in clothing and decoration, in Debra’s opinion; she enjoyed being neat and tidy; she loved to clean her house when the sun was shining brightly into the windows; she was frugal and self-disciplined; she was a good cook and known for her homemade granola. After Eleanor’s husband died, (a definite carnivore), she never cooked meat again and ate mostly vegetarian; she loved chocolate ice cream. A great speller and lover of language, Eleanor always worked a crossword puzzle; she had beautiful precise handwriting; she enjoyed art, especially Renoir and Impressionism; she had a wide and varied taste in music, the piano was her favorite; she liked attending live theater.

She loved the Lord and he was her Savior. When she lived in Maumee, Ohio she was a member of Grace Family Fellowship Church. In Asheboro, NC, she sometimes attended the First Wesleyan Church. She later preferred to find her spiritual connection while walking in nature and wherever she needed Him. She died at her home on Thursday, March 3, 2022, at the age of 86. She was a victim of Alzheimer’s disease. Her granddaughter’s family (Marissa & Dylan) and her daughter & son-in-law (Debra & Chris) cared for her during the illness. She was a client of Care Connections and Hospice of Randolph County, NC.

Eleanor Ann Ferguson was born on September 25, 1935 to Lillian Anna (Pilcher) & John Roy Ferguson in Toledo, Ohio. She is preceded in death by her beloved husband, Myron Theodore “Ted” Herrick and sister, Marguerite (Ferguson) Sauer. She is survived by: her daughter, Debra Jean (Herrick) and husband T.J. McCahan, granddaughter, Marissa Leigh McCahan, great-grandchildren, Adrienne Lilith Brady & Jensen Bruce York; sisters: Evelyn Mae (Ferguson) Lesko, Sandra Sue (Lentz) Toney, and aunt: Helen Marie (Pilcher) Kinkaid; cousins: Kathy Frances Matthews, Joanne Ferguson Cox. She will be dearly missed by many other family and good friends.

In lieu of flowers, donations to: Hospice of Randolph County, Asheboro, NC. or NC Alzheimer’s Association.

Graveside services will beheld Monday, March 14 at 10 am in Ottawa Hills Memorial Park.  Please meet at the gate of the cemetery by 10 AM.