Eleanor McFarland Caudill, 90, of Louisville, Kentucky, died in her home on February 25, 2023.
Eleanor was born on December 10, 1932, to Hendrix and Mary McFarland, in Chattanooga, Tennessee. When she was a child, her family moved to Louisville. Eleanor graduated from Atherton High School, followed by the University of Louisville, where she earned a BS degree in 1955. While there, she was a member of Sigma Kappa sorority, lettered in soccer, and met her future husband, Neville. Upon graduating she taught at Lebanon Junction High School and Southern High School. Eleanor had five children: Cathy, Missy (Bill), Fred (Elizabeth), William (Partner, Mary Beth), and Mac (Melanie). As her nest emptied, she returned to the classroom and taught Kindergarten at The Cabbage Patch for 25 years.
Eleanor was a lifelong member of St. Andrews Episcopal Church where she served on the Altar Guild, the Vestry, and as the Coffee Hour host. She was also the Treasurer for Women of St. Andrews. Besides doting on her ten grandchildren (Rus, Hank, Polly, Allison, Samantha, Ellie, Penelope, Marcellus, Caspar, and Dominic) and five great-grandchildren (Ryder, Brooks, Emma, Madeline, and Lincoln), Eleanor was an avid Bridge player and would regularly go to the beach with her Bridge friends.
Eleanor was predeceased by her parents and her brother Hendrix “Hank” McFarland.
To simply say that Eleanor lived a rich life would leave out many special nuances and details. She was truly a friend to everyone she met and, as a mother, set the bar at an imposing height. She loved children and animals, especially dogs most of all. Many hours were spent sitting on her back porch, watching the birds. Christmas was always a big family celebration, filled with children and dogs, which is how she liked it most. She was sweet, kind and thoughtful, but admirably strong and independent at the same time. As her health declined, she was able to remain to the very end in her childhood home on Talbott Avenue, due to the inexhaustible and loving care provided by her son, our brother, William. The rest of her family owes him an unpayable debt and our eternal gratitude. We also cannot thank the incredible doctors, nurses, and aids at Hosparus for their love and kindness towards our mother. Especially Melanie, Becky, Mary Alice, and Layana. True to her nature, Eleanor was in good spirits and retained her wonderful sense of humor to the end. She will be missed by everyone who knew and loved her.
Visitation will take place at Highlands Funeral Home on Thursday at from 1:00-7:00 p.m. A funeral liturgy will be held at St. Andrews Episcopal Church on Friday, March 3, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. followed by a private burial at Cave Hill Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Eleanor’s memory to The Cabbage Patch Settlement House or The Kentucky Humane Society.