Obituary: Eleanor Billig, BGSU graduate

Eleanor L. Billig, age 83, of Avon, passed away June 16, 2012 in Colorado. She was born and raised in Lorain, Ohio, the daughter of the late Frank and Elisa Tiberi.

Eleanor was a graduate of Bowling Green State University and earned a Masters of Science degree in food technology from Ohio State University.

She met her husband of 52 years, Michael, in Toledo while attending BGSU. Before embarking on a 30 year high school teaching career in northern New Jersey, Eleanor put her advanced degree to good use in New York City, working for a Swiss company that developed artificial food flavorings that are still used in a myriad of familiar brand name products such as Jell-O.

After her husband returned from military service in Korea, they moved to Berkeley Heights, New Jersey. Soon after starting a family  Eleanor pursued a distinguished career teaching home economics at various high schools throughout Union County, most notably a long tenure at Jonathan Dayton in Springfield where she retired in 1990. With Michael now also retired, he from a career in sales with Honeywell, Inc., the couple relocated to Milford, PA. where the lived for 19 years. They lived in a townhouse overlooking The Delaware, played a lot of tennis, and lavished plenty of time and energy on the grandchildren.

Eleanor loved flowers, plants, and greenery in general; so much so that she joined Milford Garden Club, serving a stint as president. Eleanor's passing was preceded in death by her husband Michael, parents Frank and Elisa Tiberi, siblings, Irene Tiberi, Gordon Tiberi, Clorinda Bommer, and niece Jennifer Bommer. She is survived by her sons Eric Billig of Colorado and David Billig of California, grandchildren Garrett, Travis and Austin Carpenter, Lauren and Christian Trout, Madelyn and Ryan Williams, Michael Billig, Cody and Sarah Gable, Elle and many nieces and nephews.

Calling hours are 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. on June 22  at in Avon.

Graveside services are Saturday, June 23 at 10 a.m. at Calvary Cemetery, 55 N. Ridge Rd. Lorain, OH 44055. In lieu of flowers and to honor her memory the family asks that you make a donation in her name to the Hospice of the Western Reserve, Memorial Gifts, 17876 St. Clair Ave. Cleveland, Ohio 44110 or to help maintain Lakeside Park and its gardens through Lorain County Metro Parks, Rose Garden, 12882 Diagonal Rd. LaGrange, Ohio 44050.