Eleanor R. Heidrich

OXFORD – Eleanor R. Heidrich., 91, of Oxford, died on Monday, July 24, 2023, at Stephens Memorial Hospital with her family at her side.

She was born on April 15, 1932, in Queens, N.Y. Eleanor graduated from Hempstead High School in 1949 and went to work in an administrative role for Mass Mutual in New York City. She met her late husband, Ted in 1951 and married in 1953. They quickly started a family, eventually becoming parents to four children, and were married for 57 years until his passing in 2010.

Eleanor was a longtime resident of Oxford, having permanently moved to the area with her husband after purchasing their dream home in 1983. She immediately threw her energy, passion, and zeal for life into her adopted community. She served in leadership roles with the American Legion’s ladies auxiliary, the Oxford County Republican Committee, and on the board of SeniorsPlus.

She embraced any opportunity to learn a new skill or hobby throughout her life, first picking up her lifelong passion for knitting at the age of 8. In her later years she enjoyed hosting a biweekly knitting group at her home.

Ted and Eleanor ended their self-imposed retirement in 1990 by opening The Christmas Barn at Riverview Farm, which they successfully ran for ten years. She loved to care for her gardens, can and create jams and jellies, tend to her home, read, and spend time with her family and friends.

Eleanor leaves behind four children, Norma Crowell and her husband, Steve, of Oxford; Ted Heidrich, Jr. of Falmouth; David Heidrich and his wife, Cindy, of Harpswell; and Fred Heidrich and wife, Nancy, of Saco; 17 grandchildren, George Gardner; Christy Gardner; Jacob Gardner and his wife, Heidi; Kevin Crowell and Renee Bissonette; Sonia Stiffler and her husband, Nate; Jennifer Heidrich; Christopher Heidrich and his wife, Bay; Angela Morin and her husband, Joe; Michele Zeiser and her husband, Joe; David Harvey and his wife, Ashley Turcotte; Leanne Heidrich; David Heidrich, Jr.; Scott Heidrich and his wife, Jennifer Johnson; Megan Bryant; Scott Bryant; Landon Heidrich; and Collin Heidrich; and 18 great grandchildren. She was predeceased by her husband.

The family wishes to thank the members of the Oxford Fire/Rescue and the staff of Stephens Memorial Hospital, Market Square Rehab, and Androscoggin Home Care for their professionalism and support.

Family and friends are invited to attend a visitation on Friday, Aug. 18 from 5-7 p.m., at Oxford Hills Funeral Services, 1037 Main St. in Oxford. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, Aug. 19, at 2 p.m., at the same location. Online condolences may be expressed to the family at http://www.oxfordhillsfuneralservices.com.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Eleanor’s memory may be sent to:

Mission Working Dogs

152 Moxie’s Place,

Oxford, ME 04270