Eleanor Balles Grant

Eleanor Balles Grant, 88, of Arlington Heights, Illinois, went home to be with her Lord on January 23, 2023.

Eleanor (Ellie) was born to Louis and Kathleen {O'Connor) Balles on August 26, 1934 in Freeport, Illinois. She grew up in Freeport with her parents, brother John, and sisters, Mary Kathleen, and Lois Balles. She attended St. Mary's School and graduated from Aquin Catholic High School in 1952. Eleanor graduated with an Elementary Education degree from Edgewood College in 1956 and began teaching school in Arlington Heights the same year. She earned her Master's Degree in Education in 1972. For most of the 35 years of her teaching career, Ellie taught 3rd grade at North and Ivy Hill Schools. Although Eleanor did not have children of her own, she loved teaching children and loved her nieces and nephews. She was named the first teacher of the year at one of her schools.

Eleanor was married a little later in her life to Gordon Grant on October 12, 1974. Gordon was the love of her life, but sadly died November 30, 1979 in an auto accident. Ellie was a very talented quilter and made beautiful quilts for her family and friends. She loved reading, flower gardening, decorating, and chocolate! Ellie adored her many dogs she had over the years, and was comforted by her poodles, Lola, Gracie, and Tessa in her later years. She also enjoyed working with Therapy Dogsand she and Gracie read to children through the Read to Rover program.

Ellie was a faithful parishioner of St. James Catholic Church in Arlington Heights since 1956. She loved her church very much and was involved in various ways over the years. Ellie had many long time friends over her lifetime. Ellie's wish was to spend the final years of her life in her home with her beloved dogs, and she was able to do that with the help of caregivers.

Eleanor is survived by her nephew, David (Jill) Jeffrey of Freeport, nieces, Susan(Dale) Kaney of Freeport, Barb (Terry) Hoffberg of Tennessee, JoAnne Jeffrey of Freeport, Nancy Balles of California, Janet Bridges of Texas, Steven {Veda) Corkey of Colorado, Joan Corkey O'Hare, Jim Corkey, many friends from over the years, and her dogs, Lola and Tessa.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Gordon, her parents, Louis and Kathleen Balles, her brother John (Jane) Balles, and sisters, Mary Kathleen (William) Jeffrey and Lois Corkey.

Visitation will be held Sunday, February 19, 2023 from 1:00 pm until 4:00 pm at Glueckert Funeral Home 1520 North Arlington Heights Road, Arlington Heights. A Funeral Mass will be held Monday, February 20, 2023 at 10:00 am at St. James Catholic Church 831 North Arlington Heights Road, Arlington Heights. Ellie's final resting place will be Calvary Cemetery in Freeport, IL. next to her husband, Gordon.

Memorials may be given to St. James Catholic Church, 820 N. Arlington Heights Road, Arlington Heights, IL 60004, to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105, or to the Buddy Foundation of Arlington Heights, Animal Rescue Shelter, 65 W. Seegers Road, Arlington Heights, IL 60005.

Please visit www.GlueckertFH.com to share a memory or condolences.