Eleanor Jean Waugh

Eleanor Jean Waugh, passed away at Azria Health Care in Winterset, Iowa on November, 10, 2021. Funeral service will be at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, November 15, 2021 at Caldwell Parrish Funeral Home, Winterset Chapel with visitation one hour prior, beginning at 10:00 a.m. Burial will follow in the Earlham Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, we ask that memorial funds be offered to the Earlham Cardinal Music Boosters at ECMB, c/o Amy Tibbs, 240 NW 7th St., Earlham, IA 50072 and noted for the Jean Waugh memorial for instrumental music needs. Live streaming of the service and online condolences may be left to the family at www.caldwellparrish.com on Jean’s Tribute Wall. Jean was born on May 25, 1929, the older daughter of Walter and Clella Slocum Price of Earlham, Iowa. Sherry Price Hanley joined her big sister in the family home in 1935. Jean and Sherry grew up at their long-time family home at the corner of NW 2nd and Locust St., in Earlham, which is still occupied and lovingly cared for by Sherry & Neal Hanley and Jim and Kathy Woolcott, continuing the family ownership. Jean loved her extended family, often taking train trips from Earlham to Dexter, playing all day with her many Shifflet cousins and ending the day by singing together around the piano. In 1942 a young man from Patterson, Iowa, Claire Waugh, moved to the Pitzer area with his family and began high school at EHS where he and Jean met. Their courtship continued after Jean’s graduation in 1947 and married in 1949, making their home in the Earlham area. To this union were born two sons, Steve and Doug. While the entire family was active in many facets of Earlham life, Jean chose to work in the Earlham School District, soon becoming secretary to the Superintendent. In her 35-year career, she became a consistent, smiling face to all who entered the school and knew almost all the families the school district served. From planning the bus routes to managing the hot lunch funds to greeting students and guests every morning and even processing the receipt of new textbooks in the summertime, she did it all. Music played an important role in Jean’s life. She was an excellent piano player who played for many church services at the Earlham Church of Christ and for other special events. Playing her piano was her special joy and one that we all enjoyed. She also enjoyed listening to 33 1/3 recordings of Broadway shows and concert orchestras. Jean loved traveling by car. Annual family summer vacations were a big deal. Often to Colorado, but also including Missouri, Arkansas, South Dakota, Minnesota and even California (without air conditioning), we logged a lot of miles together. Square dancing with dad and their friends, singing with Sweet Adelines and attending various school events in support of their kids and grandkids were favorite mutual pastimes that extended into their retirements. Jean was preceded in death by her loving husband, Claire, her mother, Clella, her father, Walter, and granddaughter, Melinda Anne Waugh. Jean is survived by her sons, Steve and wife Marilyn of Topeka; Doug and wife Kristin of Earlham; sister Sherry Hanley and husband Neal of Earlham; grandchildren Allison, Andrew, Carly and Stephanie; four great grandchildren, Beckett, Ellis, Ava and Emaline, along with her nieces, nephews, cousins and their families and many local friends. We all will miss her very much. As our mom used to tell us whenever we left the house, “now you boys be good,” while shaking her index finger at us. We ask that you all would continue to follow this sound advice from her as you move through your lives.