Eleanor Faye McCoy

Eleanor Faye Peterson McCoy (93) passed away peacefully on Dec 27, 2024. A memorial service will be held at a later date. 

Eleanor Faye Peterson was born to Arthur and Grada (Roetman) Peterson on April 19, 1931, on the family farm in Wright County Iowa. She was raised and educated in the area. She first attended country school and later graduated with the Clarion High School class of 1949. She would go on to receive her Bachelor of Science degree in Household Equipment from Iowa State University in 1953. After working for a year at Maytag in Newton, IA she returned to Iowa State to obtain her Bachelor of Science degree in Home Economics Education in 1955. 

She was the 4th of six siblings and kept busy with chores on the farm. She would talk of meals with her family and cousins who helped on the farm with warm regard. 

While in high school she was a member of Wright County 4-H, which is known as the Birthplace of the 4-H emblem. She won a Blue Ribbon for Woodworking Wonders Level 3: Nailing It Together. This involved measuring angles, cutting dado and rabbet joints, using saws, and smoothing lumber with a hand planer. 

She played on the high school softball team and played trombone in the band. She played piano for Sunday School, enjoyed dancing and excelled at sewing. 

She continued playing trombone at college and as an adult in the Urbandale Community band. 

She started her teaching career in the fall of 1955 in Lu Verne, IA where she taught High School Home Economics and History for three years. 

She made good use of her time between school years. One summer she traveled to Europe on the Queen Mary. Another summer she flew to Brazil. During the third summer she enrolled in an Art class in Denver to learn various techniques in oil painting. 

She started teaching 9th grade Home Economics in Fort Madison, IA in the fall of 1958. The next year she met her husband who was the Fort Madison High School Science teacher. 

On December 27, 1959, during their winter break, Eleanor and James E. McCoy were united in marriage at Eleanor's home church, Goldfield United Methodist, in Goldfield, Iowa. The two returned to Fort Madison, IA to continue with their teaching positions. She taught 9th Grade for three years then taught High School Home Economics and History for a year. Their union was blessed with a daughter, Jane, and son, Frank.

A teaching opportunity for Jim at Saydel High School brought the family to Urbandale, IA in the fall of 1966. While Eleanor enjoyed teaching she chose to apply those skills as a stay at home mom. She was a Brownie Leader for Jane who went on to be a First Class Girl Scout. And she 

was a Den Leader for Frank who she mentored through the rank of Eagle Scout. She volunteered at many school and church events as her children grew. 

She returned to work when her children were in high school as a tailor for men's suits at Sears. 

She was a member of Beta Sigma Phi Sorority and the Iowa State University Alumni Association. 

With their children grown and both Eleanor and Jim retired they enjoyed traveling to various historical locations where they planned SCARWAF (Special Category of the ARmy with the Air Force) Reunions for fellow veterans and their spouses. 

She tended to her vegetable garden, played cards with family and friends and each morning she worked the daily Jumble to keep her mind sharp. 

Jim and Eleanor remained in their Urbandale home for 58 years until shortly before her passing. On December 27, 2024, Eleanor stepped from time into eternity. 

She was preceded in death by her parents, Arthur and Grada (Roetman) Peterson; siblings Jerry Peterson, Mary Enockson, Wilber Jack Peterson, Rachel McMurry, and Loren Peterson. 

Left to cherish her memory is her husband, Jim McCoy of 65 years; children, Jane (Dave) Cooke, and Frank McCoy; grandchildren Conor McCoy, PhD, Evan McCoy, David James Cooke, Elizabeth Cooke, Edward Cooke; and many treasured nephews, nieces, and cousins.