Eleonora M. Eaves

Eaves, Eleonora M. (nee Lusicic) fortified with the Sacraments of Holy Mother Church. Born in St. Louis, MO on February 9, 1927, died April 13, 2018. Beloved wife of the late Russell G. Eaves, married 58 years; loving mother of Darryl Evon Eaves; daughter-in-law of Alison Eaves (nee Ward); daughter of the late Anna Deranja Lusicic and Ivan, Sr.; sister of the late Ivan Lusicic Jr. (Grace); aunt of Michael (Shelia) Lusicic, Daniel J. (Linda) Lusicic, Sr.; great-aunt of Danielle (Dave) Lusicic, Nicole (John) Pollard, Daniel J. (Brandy) Lusicic, Jr., John and Giannino Lusicic; greataunt of Addison, Stella Mae Lusicic, Calyx Wise, Rosabella Moussette; dear cousin and loyal friend to many. In 1935, Anna and Ivan Lusicic, Sr. started Hrvatski Pomladak Tamburitza Group, she was a member unil it was disbanded in 1945 when the boys left for service. In 1961, when they reestablished the Croatian Jr. Tamburitza she was an assistant instructor until 1964 and with the passing of Ivan Lusicic, Sr. she became musical director emerita, a 6 month experiment that lasted more than 57 years. Over 500 names comprise the student roster. The Hall of Fame in the T.A.A. recognizes extraordinary dedication to the tamburitza and its music. The entire Lusicic family, Ivan Sr., Anna, Eleonora and Ivan, Jr. are the only entire family in the Hall of Fame. She was a member of Lodge 50 Croatian Fraternal Union for 72 years. She was the organist and choir director for 75 years at St. Joseph Croatian Church. In 1977, she was selected to be guest conductor of the CFU Tamburitza festival held in St. Louis, the first woman to be so honored. The climax of the weekend was when she directed over 900 Jr. Tamburitzans assembled on the stage of Kiel Auditorium in an arrangement of U Boj U Boj from the opera Zrinski. She was president of the Mothers Club in 1963. She received many accolades from the Bayless school system where she raised funds to build a new school addition which houses equipment for a closed circuit TV studio, from the Boy Scouts of America for her service as a den mother and from the American Red Cross. Services: Funeral Service Thursday, April 19, 9 a.m. from Chulick Funeral Home, 5611 S. Grand Blvd., at Bates to St. Joseph Croatian Church for 10 a.m. Mass. Interment Resurrection Cemetery. Visitation Wednesday 4-8 p.m. As the late Anna Lusicic said and Elonoroa would agree, do not mourn for me or wear black. Celebrate the wonderful exciting life I've had singing, dancing and wearing bright colors. Memorials may be made to Croatian Junior Tamburitzans, 7700 Elton St., St. Louis, MO 63123.