Eleanor Marsh Hearon Niven

WAXHAW - Eleanor Marsh Hearon Niven died Sunday, March 23, 2003, at Asbury Care Center, Aldersgate in Charlotte at the age of 86. The wife of the late Olin Niven of Waxhaw, Mrs. Niven grew up in Marshville. She was born Feb. 7, 1917, the daughter of Penelope Marsh and William Graham Hearon of Marshville and the sister of the late Mabel Ruth Hearon Kelly. She was graduated from Greensboro College in 1938, and was an elementary-school teacher, a choral music director and, for many years, director of music at the Waxhaw United Methodist Church in Waxhaw. Eleanor Niven was the mother of Penelope Niven of Winston-Salem, Lynn Niven Duval Clark of Greer, S.C., William Olin "Bill" Niven of Waxhaw and Doris Niven Buchanan Knapp of Waxhaw. She is also survived by five grandchildren and their spouses, Robert and Lisa Duval Von Sprecken of Raleigh, Dr. James and Dr. Shannon Duval Meade of Hartland, Wis., Jennifer Niven McJunkin and John Michael Hreno III of Washington, D.C, Derek and Lisa Duval of Charlottesville, Va., and Scott and Ashley Buchanan Hurley of Waxhaw. Surviving great-grandchildren include Nathaniel, Learyn and Annalise Von Sprecken, Max, Elizabeth and Emma Meade, Landon Duval and Jacob and Adam Hurley. The family will receive visitors at the Waxhaw United Methodist Church on Saturday, March 29, from 11 to 11:45 a.m. with the memorial service to follow at noon in the church sanctuary. The Rev. James Mackey will officiate. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the Waxhaw United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 9, Waxhaw, NC 28173. McEwen Funeral Home in Monroe is serving the family of Mrs. Niven.