Eloise Mae Lancaster

Born on a cold day, December 29, 1937, Eloise Moody Lancaster began her life in in the upper  Midwest town of Kasson, MN. The first born 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, Oregon. 

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, Oregon area, a timber town that promised  a better life for her and her family. 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, Oregon. There, Eloise gave birth to two beautiful daughters- Laura Young of Newport, Oregon and Lisa Bishop of  Yukon, Oklahoma. 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 would eventually end, Eloise met her “knight in shining armor” David Lancaster.  Their relationship would blossom quickly, and it would see them marry on February 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-- “He is the most interesting man in the world”. 

David brought along 3 children of his own: Debra Scoles of Tigard, Oregon, Mary Jane Furniss of  Henderson, NV and Dennis Lancaster also of Henderson, NV. Eloise was a mother to all 5 children  equally throughout her life and was always a loving and devoted example for her children to aspire  to live their lives. 

Hard working and never one to back away from a challenge, Eloise was a mere 5 foot and probably  never weighed more than 100lbs, but 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 State of Oregon, optometrist assistant and  accountant, and owned and operated The Soap Opera Bath Boutique for many years at the Salem  Centre Mall in Salem, Oregon. 

After selling her store and retiring to a little less busy life, she would travel often and extensively  with her husband David. They travelled 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 care for Peaches, her last Persian who would live nearly 20 years. 

In retirement, Eloise and David travelled often to the Oregon Coast as it 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  recollection of what little her disease would allow her to glimpse again. 

Her husband of over 54 years, David, would care for her but even at 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 Patricks 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 on Saturday, May 4th, 2024. We  will gather beginning at 2:00pm. Location will be the Eagles Lodge, 1600 W. Wyoming Ave. Hayden,  ID 83835