Eloise Michener McEldowney passed away on October 19, 2020. Eloise was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma April 26, 1923. Parents were Viola T. Robertson and Olney J. Michener. She was the third child born into a family of six children. Weedie, as she was fondly called by family members, grew up in Shawnee, Oklahoma. There her lovely voice was nurtured by Shawnee High School teacher Robbie Wade and private voice coaches at O.B.U. Music was important to this family and she and her brothers and sisters listened to The Metropolitan Opera radio broadcast every Saturday narrated by Milton Cross. Her love for opera endured through her entire life for eventually her devotion to this beautiful, romanticized music opened a door to her joyful membership in Opera America. Eloise moved to Oklahoma City in January, 1945. Here, she sang on WKY Radio with Wylie and Gene and further worked in the music department with music director Allen Clark and well-known organist Ken Wright. So many familiar musicians, such as Al Good, surrounded her at WKY. Eloise sang on her own experimental FM Radio program for those days were yet to perfect Television and FM Radio. She married James Ross McEldowney and they traveled the world, resided in Oklahoma City with homes in Palm Springs, California, Naples, Florida and New York City. Eloise and Jim were part of the World War II greatest generation for both walked a life pathway changed dramatically by the great war. She is preceded in death by her husband, James R. McEldowney, her stepdaughter Mia McEldowney, brothers Harold Dean Michener of Middletown, Connecticut, LeRoy Michener of Shawnee, Oklahoma, and sister Anna Sue Michener Williams of Shawnee, OK. She is survived by stepdaughter Ann McEldowney of Austin, Texas, sister Clara Mae Michener Lafferty, Oklahoma City and brother Johnny Ray Michener of Plano, Texas. Numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews and friends will always remember Aunt Weedie. Visitation will be 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Thursday, October 22, 2020 at Hahn-Cook/Street & Draper Funeral Home. A memorial will be held 12:00 p.m., Friday, October 23, 2020 at All Souls’ Episcopal Church, 6400 N. Pennsylvania Ave., Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73116. The service will be live streamed for guests to join at facebook.com/allsoulsokc. Donations may be made to the music ministry of All Souls’ Episcopal Church, Oklahoma City.
