Copyright © 2004 Submitted by: Jan Cortez This copy contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives. ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/mi/mifiles.htm ************************************************ Big Rapids Pioneer December 15, 1941 Miss Eliza Drew Former Teacher Here, Succumbs Was Among Early Teachers of Deaf in State Miss Eliza Drew, 72, died at the home of her sister, Mrs. Martin Holland, Monday morning after an illness of several months. Although she had been in ill health, her death came unexpectedly. Miss Drew was born in Berlin, Ottawa county, but she had been a resident here since coming with her late parents, Mr. and Mrs. Nicholas Drew when but a year old. She was educated in the Big Rapids schools and was graduated from Big Rapids high school, later taking advanced educational work in Milwaukee and Detroit. She was one of the early teachers of the deaf, and for many years taught lip-reading in Manistee, Saginaw and Grand Rapids. She was for many years a member of the Big Rapids public school faculty and was well known thoughtout the entire community. She had been prominent in church and club work as long as her health permitted. She had been a lifelong member of the Catholic Church. She is survived by one brother, Nicholas Drew of Dulth, Minn., and two sisters, Mrs. William K. MItchell of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., and Mrs. Martin Holland of this city. There are several nieces and nephews. Funeral arrangements had not been made Monday.