Eloise Goulding Levy

Eloise Odell Goulding Levy, 90, died January 16, 2015 in Williamsburg, VA. She was predeceased by her husband, Richard M. Levy, Jr.; by her parents, Robert Lee Goulding and Kathleen S. Goulding; her brother, Robert Goulding; and by an infant son. She is survived by her children, Richard Levy (Bart), Kathleen Levy Hoppe (Joe, deceased), Robert Levy (Joanne) and Ellen Levy Vinson (Rick); and by a number of grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was a member of St. Martin’s Episcopal Church, Williamsburg, VA.

Eloise was born March 9, 1924 in New Smyrna Beach, FL. Her parents were educators. The family soon moved to Ft. Lauderdale, where she graduated with honors from Ft. Lauderdale High School. Upon graduation from high school, Eloise entered Florida State College for Women (now Florida State University) where her father had joined the faculty in the School of Education.

College was interrupted by marriage to Dick Levy, a West Point graduate, class of 1941 and by the birth of their first child. She graduated in 1945, with a major in Home Economics. She was for the next twenty years, a full-time mom and military wife. Sometimes she was able to accompany Dick to duty stations abroad in Germany and Japan. Otherwise she remained at home with her growing family while Dick was serving abroad. The family moved often, as military families do. Addresses in the United States included North Hollywood, CA, Arlington, VA and Colonial Heights, VA.

In the early 1960’s, Eloise began a career of more than 20 years as an elementary school teacher in Colonial Heights, VA where she taught fifth graders at North Elementary School. After retiring, she fondly remembered her principals, her colleagues and many of her students.

Following retirement, she moved from Colonial Heights to the new community of Patriot’s Colony in Williamsburg, VA. She was one of the earliest residents moving in, even before her apartment was finished and living for several weeks in small temporary quarters on site.

In retirement, Eloise became an avid traveler, going with groups to Alaska, New England, the American West, China, England several times, many European countries, Turkey and the Holy Land. Wherever she went, she bought small meaningful souvenirs, kept detailed travel journals and took many photographs. Eloise was also a volunteer guide and interpreter at Historic Jamestown (National Park Service). She also enjoyed daily walks at Patriots Colony and weekly Saturday excursions into downtown Williamsburg with her walking buddies, as well as meals, card games and puzzles with other special friends.

A memorial service will be held at Patriots Colony, Williamsburg followed by burial at Southlawn Memorial Park in Petersburg, VA.

Online condolences may be offered at www.nelsencares.com.