The Galveston County Daily News

“Basically,” Eleanor Grant says simply, “I’m a volunteer.”

But in reality, there’s nothing very basic about her community service. For more than 30 years, Grant has quietly blessed lives in Galveston through Meals on Wheels, Hospice, The Jesse Tree, the ademic Excellence Booster Club, the University of Texas Medical Branch Faculty Women’s Club, the League of Women Voters and ministries of First Presbyterian Church, to name a few.

“Serving the needs of others is a part of every breath she takes each day,” wrote the Rev. Ray Pinard, director of pastoral care at Edgewater Retirement Community. “She quietly serves our community because of her strong commitment to her faith.”

She is also known as an encourager.

“Eleanor has always been the person who nominates others for their work,” wrote Olivia Meyer, who has served alongside Grant in several organizations. “This year, we needed to nominate her for her many years of hard work in our community.”

So, for her work on behalf of the elderly, the needy and the young, Grant has been selected as a 2009 Unsung Hero. Grant, a longtime Galveston resident, joins others selected by The Galveston County Daily News who were recently honored with a plaque at a reception.

“She brings out the best of Galveston as an Unsung Hero,” wrote Jan Coggeshall, noting Grant’s support of the arts, music and the library in a wide range of activities.

Grant also serves the suffering side of Galveston, working “so many hours behind the scenes for the elderly and the needy.”

Eleanor and her husband, Dr. J. Andrew Grant, came to Galveston in 1973, drawn here by the prospect of starting an innovative allergy program at UTMB. Grant, a professor of medicine and microbiology, founded the state’s first basic research laboratory and training program in allergy and immunology here.

They were high school sweethearts who met playing clarinets in the school band in Tallahassee, Fla. The Grants had two young children when they moved to Galveston; their third child would be born on the island.

“We thought the schools here were very good and have loved living in Galveston,” Eleanor said. “I enjoy the small-town feel where you know most of the people you run into and the natural beauty.”

Eleanor taught math at Ball High School and gifted education classes at Central Middle School.

She joined with several others in founding the Galveston Academic Excellence Booster Club. The organization underwrites programs, events and activities that recognize students and teachers for outstanding achievement.

Like many Galveston families, the Grants are working to repair their home after Hurricane Ike.

“I’ve learned that there are very resilient people here… who have been here a long time like me, and they want to stay with their friends and rebuild our city, to be like the city we loved before,” she said.

“The main thing I’ve learned is to take it one day at a time.”