Eloise Mae Lancaster, 86

Born on a cold day, Dec. 29, 1937, Eloise Moody Lancaster began her life in the upper Midwest town of Kasson, Minn. The firstborn to parents Sinclair and Dorothy Moody, she lived her first nine years in the area before the growing family moved on to the West Coast and settled in the town of Willamina, Ore. 

Growing up in the Willamina and Grand Ronde area with her siblings gave Eloise a number of stories of her early life while helping care for her brothers and sisters, as her parents both worked long hours to provide for the large family. 

She and her family would eventually move to the Toledo, Ore., area, a timber town that promised her and her family a better life. Eloise was active in many school programs, singing in the choir, performing in plays, and enjoyed being a pep-squad “Pepperette.” She was her sophomore class secretary and voted 1954 Carnival Queen by her classmates. 

Graduation found her marrying her first husband, and they moved to Medford, Ore. There, Eloise gave birth to two beautiful daughters: Laura Young of Newport, Ore., and Lisa Bishop of Yukon, Okla. She was proud of her young family and would recount many lovely stories of their life in Southern Oregon, where she worked as a bookkeeper. 

After her marriage eventually ended, Eloise met her “knight in shining armor,” David Lancaster. Their relationship blossomed quickly, and they married Feb. 6, 1970. This was the start of more than 54 years of commitment, dedication, and love of the greatest kind. A recent quote by Eloise regarding David is, “He is the most interesting man in the world.” 

David brought along three children of his own: Debra Scoles of Tigard, Ore., Mary Jane Furniss of Henderson, Nev., and Dennis Lancaster, also of Henderson. Eloise was a mother to all five children equally throughout her life and was always a loving and devoted example for her children to aspire to live their lives. 

Hardworking and never one to back away from a challenge, Eloise was a mere 5 feet and probably never weighed more than 100 pounds, but she had the tenacity, strength, and determination to move mountains. She was an example for her children as she worked at various jobs as a bookkeeper, an administrative worker for Children Services for the State of Oregon, an optometrist assistant, and an accountant. She owned and operated The Soap Opera Bath Boutique for many years at the Salem Centre Mall in Salem, Ore. 

After selling her store and retiring to a little less busy life, she would travel often and extensively with her husband, David. They traveled throughout the United States and they relocated for a short time to Southern California. Travel would take Eloise to Europe as well to visit her daughter and family. 

Eloise fell in love with the Coeur d’Alene, Idaho area, on one of the many trips she and David took. They would eventually build a new home and live here for the rest of her days. She made numerous friends as she was very active with mall walking, the Elks Lodge as well as Eagles Lodge activities. She especially loved to play bingo, as it was a favorite pastime for much of her life. Her close friends knew her by her nickname, St Eloise.

She would also enjoy her hobby of raising cats, specifically the Persian breed. She had a great deal of love and patience to care for them and raised and sold many litters of beautiful, prize-winning kittens over the years. It became harder for her to part with the kittens, and she would dedicate her devotion to caring for Peaches, her last Persian, who would live nearly 20 years. 

In retirement, Eloise and David often traveled to the Oregon Coast, which was a favorite place for her. They would take their trailer and stay for weeks at a time to enjoy the cool salt air and visit with family and friends. Walking on the beach with her dogs would highlight each day on the coast. 

Her later years found Eloise in declining health and unable to travel. But she very much enjoyed exchanging stories of her travels, in the world and in life, with others who would pay her a visit. While she had difficulties recollecting many memories near the end, Eloise still had vivid recollections of what little her disease would allow her to glimpse again. 

Her husband of over 54 years, David, would care for her but even in the end, he was unable to fix the tired body of a great woman who lived so much larger a life than many, who gave great love and devotion to her family, and who is and will always be terribly missed by her loved ones and her friends alike. Eloise passed into her next life on Saint Patrick's Day, March 17, 2024. 

Eloise was preceded in death by her parents, Sinclair and Dorothy Moody, as well as her brothers, Ken Moody and Charles (Lynn) Moody. She leaves behind three sisters: Rosemary (Jim) Conrad, Barbara (late husband Dave) Owen and Marilyn (Lester) Day, as well as her youngest brother, Richard (Carl) Moody Casperson. 

She also leaves behind children Laura Young, Lisa (Don) Bishop, Debra Scoles, Mary Jane “Janie” Furniss and Dennis (Rachel) Lancaster. Eloise enjoyed 16 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. 

Her favorite dog, Abby, misses her terribly. 

Please join friends and family for a celebration of life to take place Saturday, May 4, 2024. We will gather beginning at 2 p.m. The location will be the Eagles Lodge, 1600 W. Wyoming Ave., Hayden, ID 83835.

Please visit Eloise's online memorial at www.englishfuneralchapel.com.