God Bless America Lyrics by Irving Berlin

Memorial Service Honoring Eleanor Fabyan
Please remain seated until the final song
Prelude – “Tamed Moments”…………………………………….Marie-Anne Fischer
“On Eagle’s Wings” ………………………………………………. Michael Joncas (based on Psalm 91)
Opening Prayer ………………………………………………………. Phil Nguyen
Scripture Reading …………………………………………Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, 11-13, Chuck Cizek, son-in-law
Responsorial Psalm ……………………………………………………Psalm 4
Congregant Response –“Lord, let your face shine upon us, shine upon us, shine upon us”
Tribute to Eleanor …………………………………………………….Barb/Bobbi Rowe, sister
Gospel Acclamation
Gospel ……………………………………………………………………….John 1:1-5, John 14:1-6
Tribute to Eleanor …………………………………………………….Phil Nguyen, family friend
Tribute to Eleanor………………………………………………………Barbara Matievich, Godchild
“Anniversary Song” ……………………………………………………Al Jolson and Saul Chaplin
Prayers of the Faithful ……………………………………………..Jeff Whitcomb, son-in-law
Congregant Response ………………………………………………. “Lord, hear our prayer”
“Our Father”
Tribute to Eleanor……………………………………………………. Stephen Pavkovic, brother
“Fala” ……………………………………………………………………..Croatian Folk Song
Closing prayer
“God Bless America” (please stand and sing together)
You are invited to lunch immediately following the service.
“Fala” - Croatian Folk Song - “Thank You”
Za saku dobru rec,
kaj reci si mi znala!
Za saki pogled tvoj,
za saki smeh tvoj fala!
For every kind Word,
That you used to tell me
For every kind glance
For every smile – thank you!
Tak malo dobrega,
v živlenju tuj se najde.
I ce je sunca trag,
za oblak tak i zajde.
So little goodness
In this life is to be found.
Even a sunray
Hides behind a cloud.
Jer ti si srcu mi,
tak puno sunca dala!
Kaj morem ti neg rec,
For you have given me
So much of sunshine!
What else can I do but
od seg ti srca fala.
(repeat 3.)
God Bless America Lyrics
by Irving Berlin
God bless America,
Land that I love,
Stand beside her and guide her
Thru the night with a light from above;
From the mountains, to the prairies,
To the oceans white with foam,
God bless America,
My home, sweet home.
God bless America,
My home, sweet home.
Offer heartfelt thanks .
Tributes to Eleanor
Semper Paratus
My mom was the epitome of the Coast Guard motto “Semper Paratus – Always
Ready”. She lived her life by this motto and it is part of the lasting legacy she instilled in
her children and grandchildren. Whether it was preparing for a trip, attending an event,
planning for guests or going to the grocery store Mom knew exactly what she wanted
and needed and got things in order the day before (or even days before in some
instances). She allowed ample time to get to where she was going and if you were
picking her up she was usually waiting for you at the end of the driveway, having
locked up the house before her ride arrived. Mom took pride in being prompt and
prepared , both trademarks of her personality.
That’s why Mom’s diagnosis of terminal gastric cancer was especially difficult for all of
us; she was not ready, she was not prepared for that curve ball. But to no one’s surprise
Mom handled the news with grace and dignity. From the onset she wanted all the
information upfront and not sugarcoated. She wanted to see the x-rays and explored
treatment options; only to be told there were no options. Having this information
allowed Mom to prepare herself for the inevitable as well as prepare the rest of us for
the unimaginable. Probably the hardest part as weakness overcame her was to allow
Cynthia and I to do for her what she had always done for us. Not easy for someone
who took great pride in being independent but remember – she taught us to be
prepared and we did it with the love and compassion she had always shown us.
Mom was very modest about her achievements and often downplayed the
importance of her accomplishments. She graduated from college as I was finishing high
school. She worked outside the home. She traveled alone or with a friend from work
and not as part of a tour group. Mom loved a challenge and travel really allowed her
to put that Coast Guard motto to good use. Mom took great pride in being a veteran
and for years organized the SPARS to march in the Grand Haven Coast Guard parade.
She single handedly petitioned City Hall in N.Ft.Myers and was successful in the
construction of a bike path, she organized “field trips” for the book club in Forest Park
(FL) and held various committee positions. Mom took her time, allowed for extra time
and was “always ready” so that the end results of her endeavors were something we all
were proud of.
Mom’s motto served us well on our family camping vacations. Preparing for these trips
began weeks in advance and “Lil Audrey”, our camper, was well stocked with
everything imaginable for outdoor living. There were many life lessons learned on these
trips and I cherish each and every memory. I am not sure where Mom learned these
camping and outdoor skills but she was a natural planner and had an innate sense of
what gear we needed to pack and how to efficiently pack the camper. This was long
before the days of lightweight Northface gear with Sears and Coleman being our main
outfitters ! I also believe that these family trips were the start of another legacy mom
instilled in us; that of an appreciation and respect for the natural
world. Mom taught us about birds, seashells, stars, plants (especially those poisonous
ones in Michigan), and most of all she and dad gave us a piece of paradise in West
Olive. No one loved the Lake Michigan beach and the woods surrounding her beloved
cottage more than my Mom. On a recent beautiful and sunny morning I heard the
birds exploding in song and I thought “hmmm…that’s mom saying hello. She has
become everything that she loved, everything that is full of life and beauty”. Physically,
she is not here but I sense her presence daily and I know she is watching over us. Her
voice, I hear it still and know that she is near.
Along with being prepared was the gentle and calm spirit that was another of her
trademarks. You see, if you are prepared you are less apt to stress about things. Mom
drove her Cadillac and Malibu within the speed limit and always kept the tank full,
allowing ample time to get to where she needed to be. She spoke in a soft voice, never
interrupted and was a wonderful listener. Young children warmed to her quickly and
she savored those precious moments. She did not dote on herself; in fact she would be
embarrassed by all the fuss being made in her honor today. My mother touched many
hearts because she gave of herself. She was “always ready” with a hug or an “I love
you” and she made people feel welcomed and comfortable in her presence.
Mom, I love you dearly and will forever cherish you. I continue to mourn your passing
because I was not ready to let you go, there were still so many plans and places to go.
But I am filled with gratitude for the many ways you enriched my life and that of my
family. This world was much improved by your presence and I know you will continue to
bless us as we venture forth without you. You left a legacy and memories to sustain us.
Semper Paratus, dearest Mom.
Children, hear your mother’s voice in birdsong and laughter.
Feel her face in the wind.
Her eyes are stars and the center of flowers,
Each one an offer of grace.
Debra Fabyan Cizek - daughter
I have thought long and hard of what I would say about Eleanor. It’s the
choices that are difficult. Some people see relatives only on holidays and
special occasions and remember a shared moment or a kind word. Thankfully,
that was not and is not the case with our family. We did and shared everything
for many wonderful years. So this could be volumes rather than a few words.
I will share two observations that are a testament to Eleanor’s amazing
strength of character.
Eleanor was a writer. She loved to correspond with people and her letters
were always filled with observations and comments about the people and
places that she interacted with or visited. There was a purpose to her writing.
She wrote many letters to the editor both here in Michigan and in Florida. This
was the thing that struck me most about her letters. They were always positive.
Whether it was to compliment someone for a kindness, a thank you for a
wonderful concert, words of support for a civic project, or her opinion on a issue;
it was done with grace and tact, and always in a positive light. It was her way.
Eleanor was a woman of action. She did more things in her life than the rest
of us would dare to think about. From her enlistment in the Coast Guard (nearly
unheard of at the time for a woman) to obtaining a college degree when most
women her age were thinking about retirement. She traveled extensively all
over the world. As a woman of advanced years she traveled throughout
Europe on a self-created tour all on her own. She would go anywhere and do
anything. None of the neighbors will forget Eleanor and her Schwinn pedaling
to the library (the downtown branch ten miles away!) She climbed the pyramids
of Mexico, walked the streets of Split and Dubrovnik, and swam endlessly in the
waters of Lake Michigan. She did it all - with an untiring enthusiasm for the
endless opportunities that life offers all of us. We will cherish her memory and try
to live by her example.
Zivio, Eleanor.
Chuck - son-in-law
My Mom was always Mom to me … not my best friend, not my colleague, not my
acquaintance, but my Mom. She often called me “Kitten” in her soft, sweet voice. How
I miss that voice and her presence today. We laughed together, cried together and
watched life slip away together. Losing a parent, even one whose life has been long
and full, shakes one's foundation.
Whether I lived in Seattle or Holland, Mom was close by. She was always interested in
what I was doing and wanted to know the joys and challenges of my various jobs/of my
career. Mom cared for my well-being and never failed to ask “How are you doing,
Cyn?” I am so grateful for the many gifts Mom gave to me—her love of the outdoors,
baseball, books, all kinds of music (Mom loved the Beatles), and a sense of adventure.
Most of all, I am grateful for her unconditional love and the time she devoted to her
family.
Family and family time alw ays came first with Mom. Whether it was going camping,
talking a hike on a cool, crisp fall day, or standing by the kitchen sink doing dishes
together, Mom was always present. Not only in a physical sense but an emotional sense
as well. She was someone you could count on and she expected the same of me and
my sisters. She practiced honesty her entire life and taught my sisters and I the same
virtue.
My Mom woke me up every day for all my school days, and greeted me when I came
home from school. Each day before we 'girls' went to school, Mom would say “Have a
good day.” In elementary school, I looked forward to walking home for lunch. Upon
entering our beautiful home on Nampa Court in Troy, MI, Mom would have WJR radio
on with Fibber McGee and Molly, followed by the news, then Karl Haas and classical
music. At the end of the school day, I would rush home to be greeted by music from
the HI FI (made by Mom's brother). After a snack of fruit or graham crackers, Mom
would sit down with me at the kitchen table and we'd review my schoolwork. From an
early age, she taught me not to procrastinate, to use both sides of the notebook paper,
and to make every effort my best effort. She taught me to approach something difficult
not as a problem but as an opportunity to dig deeper. By example, she showed me
how to be independent, organized, and committed to excellent work.
As I face life without my Mom, there is a sense of gratitude and sadness, all at the same
time. “Mothers are their daughter's role model, their biological and emotional road
map, and arbiter of all their relationships.” As I feel her presence at the cottage, Lake
Michigan, or in photos in my home, Mom is with me every day. She is so wonderful to
think about but so hard to be without.
Forever in my heart,
“Kitten” aka Cynthia
Nani: A Loved Sister
Growing up, I was with Nani wherever she lived....Highland Park, Bad Axe, Lake
Orion, and Troy.Cynthia, Jennifer and Debbie were a big part of me exploring
my youth and I am eternally grateful to Eleanor for that trust. I hope I never led
them astray.
One of our memorable trips was with her brand new ‘63 Chevy towing a tent
trailer, that wasn't always hooked up the right way, but we 5 girls managed to
bounce our way east. A misguided Ohio Turnpike hawk plastered itself into the
grille and remained with us. One night backing up into a camp site, the Impala
almost ended up at the bottom of a steep gravel pit while a bunch of rednecks
laughed their heads off knowing full well the doom we were headed for. All we
could think of was: “what will George say when he sees the dents on the car”.
Whether around the campfire or when visiting our nation's Capitol, we 5 made
stunning fashion statements wearing lop sided wigs and dorky scarves. I am
pleased to say we continued in the 1960’s to be “on the cutting edge” of style.
My life's journey continued with my big sister as she often visited Grand Haven.
That is when Auntie fell in love with Kerry, Adam and Lake Michigan. Spending
the night with her, one always found something special under the pillow. As our
family grew, Auntie was a great pal to Alissa, Dan and adored Quinn.
Having a big sister is such a blessing. Nani was a beautiful welcoming lady, with
a lovely smile,considerate, careful, calm, frugal and had a determined and
quiet energy. She gave you her full attention and also was a prolific letter writer
distinguished by immaculate penmanship. With an adventurous spirit, especially
when traveling alone, Eleanor’s detailed journals are fascinating to read. We
had great fun traveling with her to Eastern Europe and Croatia. In her heart,
Nani had a special place for the arts and nature. She was so proud when the
Spars were recognized and honored in Grand Haven, as we were proud of her
lifelong achievements.
Like the changing of the seasons, we continue to evolve as we seek peace and
joy. To the very end, my sister showed dignity, strength and bravery. With deep
admiration and inspiration for a life well lived, we say “goodbye dear sister and
auntie. We celebrate you and love you with all of our heart.”
Love,
Bobbi, Karl, Kerry, Dan, Quinn, Alissa, and Adam (sister and her family)
Our Nana
Whether you’ve seen her riding her old, green, Raleigh Cruiser into downtown
Holland or crossed path’s while she was trekking the West Olive Coastline in the
summer, Mrs. Eleanor Fabyan was quite hard to ignore. She was moderately oldfashioned, sharply intelligent and was incredibly active and athletic; entwined
with a passionate love for the outdoors and an unmistakable love for her family.
When she spoke, you listened- not because she was overly intimidating, but
rather you truly desired to hear what she had to say. She was a strong-willed
woman with a history of honor and pride, hoisting up the Red, White, and Bluerain or shine- for as long as I can remember. Hard to go unnoticed was Ellie’s
contagious, warm aura that surrounded her. “The fridge is always open,” she
would say: a phrase that would pre-curse many summer barbeques at the
cottage.
From a personal perspective, my grandmother was always a major person
in my life. Blessed to live just a quarter-mile away, Nana was always dropping by
the house- never leaving without at least a quick chat about recent
happenings. My fondest memories of my grandma include lengthy, intense
scrabble games, endless summer days at the beach and shuffleboard and
bocce ball in Florida. They were simple memories, nothing overly extravagant.
They didn’t need to be. Ellie had an incredibly wise aura about her that I was
able to sense from an early age. She was our family’s wise owl- the rock that
held us together. Many kids groan when thoughts of hanging out with their
grandma come to mind. My cousins and I couldn’t disagree more.
We are gathered here today to honor and remember the beautiful and
enchanting Eleanor Fabyan. For 85 years, she sculpted her “American Dream,”
and entered the hearts of persons all over the world. She symbolized strength
and determination with every step she took- the only way she knew how. Nana,
you taught us to take time and admire how beautiful the world can be, to love
and to live, to accommodate and to share. You are missed dearly by all but not
forgotten. We love you Nana, forever and always.
Tyler George Cizek - grandson
Nana was a teacher in many ways and always shared her knowledge
with me. Nana loved nature. She would point out a blue jay or robin and tell me
facts about birds and that was really neat. She would point out poisonous plants
as we walked the path to the beach reminding us “leaves of three, let it be”.
She taught me to appreciate nature and the importance of taking care of our
Earth. I remember playing Scrabble with Nana and she totally whooped me.
She was so good with words and she took her time too! She always beat
me…but we had a fantastic time.
A woman full of passion for the beach Nana taught my cousins and I the
importance and beauty of water. Whether her “lessons” were as simple as
putting on sun block or about the rough currents in Lake Michigan or the Florida
Gulf, we never forgot. I remember the wispy white hair hidden under the white
visor with yellow trim, her white robe, coming softly down the beach stairs with a
neatly wrapped umbrella and bag in her hand. She always brought her
thermometer and took the temperature of Lake Michigan before she took a
swim. She often would go down to the beach early in the morning with my
grandpa and take a bath in Lake Michigan. Also, when nana was at the beach,
you would never see a watch on her wrist. She would just look at the position of
the sun and tell you the time. Almost every time she was spot on. At the pool in
Florida or at the beach in Lake Michigan, Nana’s baby soft skin was covered in
sunscreen. Nana always would tell us the dangers of not putting sunscreen
which we grandkids gladly smothered on. She was always concerned about our
safety, especially when we rode the SeaDoo or started to drive.
Nana wanted to go to Romania and had promised me that she would
one day take me. Her promise came true in the summer of 2009. Nana, my
mom, aunt Cyn, and I went to Europe visiting Germany, Romania and Croatia.
Croatia is not just a country in Eastern Europe it’s …Paradise. Nana showed me
this beautiful paradise by taking me to the crystal clear water of the Adriatic,
sharing t he heritage of her family in Zagreb, and even the great wall of
Dubrovnik. Nana also was very fluent in Croatian and that was very fascinating.
She cherished and loved spending time with family and friends near and far!
Nana was a very smart woman who always loved and supported me in
everything I did. She was very honest and a very good listener. She was the
grandmother that every child would want!
Juliana Cizek - granddaughter
One of the first thoughts that come to mind when I think of Nana is the image of
her reading. I always picture her, surrounded by potted flowers, on the yellow wrought
iron chairs outside of the cottage reading a book. She was in her element, always
peaceful and content. Nana was active in book clubs where she would engage in
thoughtful conversations and offer her opinions to the group. While I’m no expert on the
literacy levels of senior citizens, I like to think she was ahead of the curve. Because of
her exceptional ability to critique, I always valued her candid advice on which book I
should tackle next. She knew the Holland and N. Fort Myers libraries inside-and-out and
was an avid user of many of the services they had to offer. Nana’s love of the written
word wasn’t limited to books. She read [yesterday’s] newspaper everyday and kept up
with current events, activities and concerts around town, and most importantly the
crossword puzzle. She would often bring the puzzle down to the beach or sit on the
couch in the evening to complete it. I always admired Nana’s thirst for knowledge, but
as I reflect on it more now, I am certain her passion will live on. Love you, Nani.
Nicole - granddaughter
“Reading is a basic tool in the living of a good life."
Mortimer Adler
When I think about my childhood and recent entrance into adulthood one
concept that I proudly embrace is the presence of strong female influences. As the
leader of the Fabyan/Pavkovic pack most recently, Nana was one of my most
influential role models. As my role model, Nana possessed several traits that compelled
and impressed me. Her love for life was portrayed through her world travels and
adventures with friends and family members. Her energy was evident in many aspects
of her everyday activities and interactions. At age 80 Nana was taking leisurely bike ride
trips that were over 15 miles and she trekked through the trail and climbed the steps to
and from the beach with an elegant stride. Her compassion for family was clear; she
gracefully hosted hundreds of family barbecues and occasionally took on the
challenge of a full on family reunion. I admired the relationship that Nana and Grandpa
had, for nearly 60 years they traveled the country and world together, bronzed in the
sun as part of Forest Park’s elite, and raised an amazing family. As one of the most
knowledgeable, intelligent, caring, and compassionate females I have met, I can only
hope to live up to the wonderful example of a strong Croatian female that Nana
portrayed for me .
All my love to you Nana,
Claude Maude - granddaughter
My Nana was a very special person to me. I remember when my parents
would leave the house for a night or two and I would have to stay with my
grandparents. Nana would always make the best meals, especially breakfast;
cream of wheat or maybe French toast, whatever I was in the mood for. The
dinners were wonderful as well. Chicken soup with “cannedelas” is one meal
that really sticks out in my mind.
My homework was brought along on some of these sleepovers and while I
was working, Nana would play traditional Croatian music. I didn’t appreciate
the music much back then but now I am really thankful for the cultural
experience she turned me on to.
Nana is greatly missed and will always be remembered for her hospitality
and good nature.
Chris-grandson
Obituary
Surrounded by her family, and the woods and water of her beloved Lake Michigan
home, Eleanor Pavkovic Fabyan died peacefully on July 25, 2010. She had been
diagnosed two months prior with an unforeseen and unpredictable illness.
Born February 4, 1925 and raised in Highland Park, MI, Eleanor and her husband,
George, raised their three daughters in Troy, MI. Eleanor received a library associate’s
degree from Oakland Community College and had been employed and retired from
GM Tech Services in Warren, MI. Following retirement, Eleanor and George resided in
West Olive and N. Ft Myers, FL. Their generous and sharing spirit welcomed family and
friends for many memorable gatherings at their home.
Eleanor taught her family to respect others, have compassion for others, and to always
be honest. Eleanor valued integrity, commitment and loyalty. She had a passion for her
country and proudly served as a SPAR in the Coast Guard during World War II. One of
her greatest joys was participating in the Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival parade
dressed in her original uniform, as well as local Veterans Day events. Eleanor
demonstrated care and commitment to the communities she resided by successfully
advocating for the construction of a bike path in N. Fort Myers, supporting the Ottawa
County Parks system and dune preservation, and voting in every local and national
election.
Her gentle and calm spirit was evident in her hobbies. She was an avid reader,
international traveler, and loved crosswords, appreciated the fine arts, playing
Scrabble, classical music, bike riding, bird watching, and had an overall appreciation
and respect for the natural world. Other interests included Detroit Tiger baseball and
attending her grandchildren’s school, athletic and music events.
Eleanor was a member of Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church. She was a 50 year
member of Croatian Lodge 351 in Detroit and a first-generation American. Since
childhood, Eleanor was a member of Slavulj (Nightingale), the Croatian Singing Society.
She also played with the Detroit Tamburitza Orchestra and continued to embrace her
Croatian heritage through travel, music and family picnics.
Eleanor will be lovingly remembered by her two daughters, Cynthia (Jeff Whitcomb)
Fabyan, Debra (Chuck) Cizek, son-in-law Waldek Maj, grandchildren Juliana and Tyler
Cizek and Nicole, Claudia and Christopher Maj, brother Stephen Pavkovic (Julie) of
Skokie, IL and sister Barb/Bobbi (Karl) Rowe of Grand Haven. In addition she is survived
by, nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family and friends across the U.S. and in
Croatia. She was predeceased by her parents, Stephen and Barbara Pavkovic, her
cherished husband of 61 years, George and dearest daughter, Jennifer Maj.
The family is indebted to Hospice of Holland and special nurse, Jane Roessing. Eleanor’s
wish was to receive in-home hospice care and she was able to live her final weeks in a
manner of her choosing. Cremation has taken place and a memorial service will be
held on Saturday, September 18, 2010 at the Grand Haven Community Center.
We are forever grateful for the many blessings she bestowed upon family and friends.
Semper Paratus, Mom.
1945
Participants:
Cy DeLeeuw, bass
Jennifer DeLeeuw, piano
Lisa Homik, vocals
Waldek M aj, slide presentation
Phil Nguyen, officiate
Ivo Soljan, violin
Sunset in Port Sheldon photo by Ellie Baar
The family of Eleanor Fabyan sincerely thanks you for gathering to honor the life
of our mom, sister, nana, aunt, great aunt, cousin and friend. May you feel her
presence when you walk along the shores of Lake Michigan, hear the birds sing,
ride your bike, do a crossword puzzle, play a game of Scrabble, attend a
concert or read a book. Most of all be sure to stop and say hello when you see
a hawk, there is a good chance it is Eleanor watching over you.
Memorial gifts may be made to the Women’s Memorial, Washington DC
(www.womensmemorial.org); Nature Education Center at Hemlock Crossing
(www.miottawaorg/ParksVI/Parks) or Hospice of Holland (www.hollandhospice.org).