Eloise and Jim Goodwin share the spirit of giving

Eloise, the new baby in the Holt family, was born in Spokane on June 16, 1929. As Eloise grew, school boundaries changed,too. Eloise spent grades 4-8 at Four Lakes, changed to Cheney Junior High (now Cheney Middle School) and finally Cheney High School. During those busy days Eloise worked on the school “Blackhawk” newsletter and the “Pine Cone” yearbook. She was active on the drill team as well.

On June 19, 1947, the family said, “Eloise has found her one, true love.” Eloise and Jim Goodwin were married. They established a happy farm home on Mullinix Road. Jim was accustomed to farm work and enjoyed managing it. He raised beef cattle and sold them. Eloise became a secretary for the Cheney School District and Eastern Washington University. She was an excellent secretary and worked in that capacity for 25 years.

Eloise and Jim had three sons, Richard Sidney, Frederick James and Roger Lee. With the young boys and the couple’s many other activities, Eloise and Jim were very busy and happy with their lives. They bought an RV and joined the National Camping Travelers group. They camped many times throughout the Inland Empire.

Eloise said, “My first airplane ride was a trip to Germany to see my first grandchild, Richard Jr. Jim and I made other trips with the Alpha Omega bus tours to many places in the Western United States. On our 25th and 60th wedding anniversaries our ‘dream trips’ were to Hawaii.”

Always busy, Eloise helped the Juvenile Grange at Four Lakes and continued her membership at Amber and then at Tyler. She said, “Jim and I became members of the Martha Chapter, Order of Eastern Star in 1965. While there, I held many offices. With Jim I became Worthy Matron and Jim became Worthy Patron in 1981 and again in 1991. I was appointed Grand Representative to New Mexico in Washington for 1994 and 1996.”

Eloise had many talents. She mentions an electronic piano keyboard that she likes to play, along with an upright piano and the accordion. You should see some of her other accomplishments: sewing, crocheting, making afghans, hats, baby sweaters, quilts and other hand crafts. Family history is an ongoing research project.

Jim, who left this world in 2008, also had many talents. He worked as a painter at Eastern Washington University and had a woodworking hobby at home where he made toys for children to enjoy. He generously gave the things he had made, including toy trains, cars and animals, for example. Some have found their way to my home.

Jim often took his woodworking achievements to Cheney Outreach. At home Jim and Eloise attached colorful wooden birds he had made to the fence in front of their home. Travelers passing by could admire the display.

How true of the Goodwins, Eloise and Jim, to give of themselves in so many ways. We thank you.

Luella Dow is a Cheney-area author. She can be reached at [email protected].