Doretta (Coddington) Faust

Doretta Coddington Faust, 71, died on Sunday, August 12 at home surrounded by her family. She was born July 5, 1947 on the south side of Indianapolis, graduating from Southport High School in 1965. In her youth she enjoyed helping her father and mother raise, show, and drive the family’s Percheron Draft horses on the farm and at many fairs and parades. She graduated from Indiana Central College (University of Indianapolis) with an elementary education degree in 1969 and earned a master’s degree from the University of Evansville in 1974. She began her teaching career in 1969 in Evansville at Cedar Hall, then Stanley Hall before moving to Fairlawn Elementary where she taught fourth and fifth grade until her retirement in 2007. As an educator she was very active in leadership roles in her building, in the corporation (OMAR reading program for 20 years) and in the Evansville Area Reading Council (treasurer, president, chair of NIE activities, workshop presenter locally and at state, and Awards chair). In 1991 she was honored to receive the Elementary Teacher of the Year award from EARC. After her retirement she volunteered for the American Cancer Society with their “Reach to Recovery” program and became a very active member of P.E.O. Chapter CC in Evansville serving in several officer positions over the years. As a mother she kept busy as a “cheerleader” for her son and daughter at their activities. She greatly enjoyed being a Pride of Bosse Band Parent serving as secretary and president and working as the student uniform supervisor sewing, altering, and mending uniforms and making guard flags. She liked chaperoning every bus trip to band competitions and long-distance trips for six years. As a newly-minted grandmother, her joy was apparent to all. She enjoyed every minute with her grandson reading books, singing songs, and cuddling. This July, her wishes for a family vacation were realized, spending a delightful week all together in Saugatuck MI. Doretta was preceded in death by her parents, Ralph and Esther Coddington. She is survived by her son Damon Faust, wife Angela, and grandson Dylan of Noblesville, IN, her daughter Dara Faust and husband Sheldon Hosten of Brooklyn NY, a sister Laona Emsweller (Gary) of Danville, IN, a brother Jim Coddington (Therese) of Greenwood, IN, three nieces, a nephew, three great nieces, two great nephews, and ex-husband Wilfred Faust. For 19 years Doretta maintained a positive attitude as she continued to battle cancer and metastasis through numerous surgeries, radiation and chemo therapies. Although it was rarely apparent to others that she was sick, in pain or weak, she endured it all without self-pity as to enjoy her family, friends and activities. She always was thankful to her doctors, especially Dr. Waits and staff at OHA, for helping her through each new diagnosis and treatment. Her family is also thankful to the team at Kindred Hospice, notably Darcy Puckett, for making her last moments peaceful and beautiful. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the American Cancer Society (www.cancer.org) or Indiana P.E.O. Chapter C.C. (checks to P.E.O. Program for Continuing Education, mailed to: Treasurer, P.E.O. Executive Offices, 3700 Grand Avenue, Des Moines, Iowa 50312, www.peointernational.org click on Giving Opportunities), both in memory of Doretta Faust. A Celebration of Life will be on Saturday, September 1 from 1 to 4pm at Biaggi’s Special Event Room (6401 E Lloyd Expwy). Please join her family and friends as they share stories of her life. Condolences may be made online at www.AlexanderEastChapel.com.