Eva Avender Bassier passed away peacefully on Wednesday, October 9, 2019, in Almont, MI, surrounded by her family.
Eva Katherine Avender was born on February 25, 1925, at home on the farm on Hough Road, Almont, the second daughter born to Anna and Frank Avender. She attended country school on Scotch Settlement Road, Almont, through eighth grade. Then she went to Almont High School, graduating June of 1942.
During World War II, Eva worked as a clerk/typist for U.S. Army Ordinance, downtown Detroit (National Bank Building). Then she worked in the employment office at Dodge Main Plant.
After World War II, Eva married Alfred (Fred) Bassier on October 5, 1946. They were happily married for 63 years, when Fred passed away in 2009.
Eva was organist and music minister at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church for 64 years, beginning at age 9. She played organ in all three church buildings, including the original St. John built in 1915. She was secretary for Father Woods, secretary of the parish council, on the worship committee for 20 years, the Altar Society president for 25 years, and carried out many other church responsibilities.
She loved cooking and baking and was renowned for her potato salad and cream puffs.
Eva was preceded in death by her husband, Fred Bassier; her parents, Anna and Frank Avender; grandson, Brian Bassier; great-grandson, Ryan Mayer; and her sister, Anne Rowling.
Eva is survived by her six children sons John (Mary K.) Bassier of Casco, MI and Tom (Jan) Bassier of Spokane Valley, WA, and daughters Norine (Jack) Mayer and Elaine (Gordon) Spencer of Almont, MI, and Nancy (Jay) Church of Traverse City, MI, and Laura (Bob Boyd) Bassier of Washington Township, MI.
Eva is also survived by eighteen grandchildren, Michael (Anne) Bassier, Jeremy (Jennifer) Bassier, Gretchen Bassier, Eric (Maria) Bassier, Emily (Peter Co) Bassier, Kathryn (James) Witherington, Elaine Bassier, Shane Mayer, Brent (Amber) Mayer, Sarah (Rob) Bening, Philip Spencer, Jessica (Bryan) Keeping, Laura (Phillip) Weaver, Micaela (Blake Terhune) Church, Ian Church, Rachelle (Anoopum) Gupta, Megan Stopczynski, and Jaclyn (Daniel) Benjamin.
Eva is also survived by twenty great-grandchildren, Julia Bassier, Tommy Bassier, Landon Bassier, Brady Bassier, Beau Bassier, Winter Co, Alyssa Witherington, Benjamin Witherington, Tristan Mayer, Caleb Mayer, Taylor Bening, Robert Bening, Olivia Bening, Emma Keeping, Bear Keeping, Clara Weaver, Chase Weaver, Cora Terhune, Ayan Gupta, and Kavi Gupta.
Her surviving sisters are Barbara Korth, Mary (James) Farley and Kathleen Vanlerberghe, and many nieces and nephews.
A special thanks to Maria Demick, her caregiver, who also has become a dear friend of the family, and to all the health professionals who helped her.
Visitation was held October 13 and 14 at Muir Brothers Funeral Home, Almont, MI. www.muirbrothers.com.
Funeral service was held Tuesday, October 15, at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, Allenton, MI, with Fr. Gerry Frawley officiating. Burial was at West Berlin Township Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, Eva requested donations to the National Kidney Foundation, at www.kidney.org/donate, or by mail to National Kidney Foundation, Finance Department, and 30 East 33rd St., New York, NY, 10016.
