Eleanor Garrett

September 27, 1924 – March 17, 2009
Graveside memorial services for Eleanor Haywood Garrett, 84, of Des Moines, Iowa, will be held Saturday, May 17, 2010 at 11 a.m. in Sharon Hill Cemetery, Kalona, Iowa, with Pastor Kevin Gingerich officiating. Mrs. Garrett died March 17, 2009. Per her wishes, her body was donated to the University of Iowa Medical School. Memorial contributions may be made to Bidwell- Riverside Center, 1203 Hartford Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50315.
Eleanor Haywood was born in Narberth, Pennsylvania, September 27, 1924, the daughter of Charles J. and Frances Brown Haywood. She attended Lower Merion High School and Temple University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She married C. Dendy Garrett June 22, 1946, in Narberth. A pastor’s wife, she and Dendy lived in many Iowa towns and cities, including Oskaloosa, Kalona (1954-1960), Des Moines, Mt. Pleasant, Perry, Iowa City and finally Des Moines again. She was active in the United Methodist Churches in each place, serving as a Sunday school teacher, circle leader and a member of United Methodist Women, as well as, all the responsibilities of a minister’s wife. She was a member of Grace United Methodist Church in Des Moines. She also was a Brownie Leader, Cub Scout Den Mother and a member of the Webster, Amos Hiatt and East High School P.T.A. when living in Des Moines.
She traveled to the Holy Land many times, leading tours of church friends, and enjoyed each and every trip. Her family enjoyed camping throughout the United States as the children were growing up. Die-hard Hawkeye fans, she attended football games for many years, and had season tickets for the women’s basketball team while living in Iowa City.
Mrs. Garrett had a strong sense of justice and concern for those who had no one to care for them in times of need. Many of her talents were spent supporting and encouraging them. A special thrill was being present at the March on Washington in 1963 when Martin Luther King gave his “I have a dream” speech.
As a journalism major, writing was her special gift. She worked for a Philadelphia newspaper and later wrote for the Iowa Methodist Conference paper. Her poetry, stories and programs were long remembered.
She is survived by her husband, Dendy Garrett, Des Moines; a daughter, Wendy (Brad) Lego, Sioux City, Iowa; three sons, Jim (Kathy Hannum) Garrett, Waukon, Iowa; Doug Garrett, Colfax, Iowa; Matt (Lisa) Garrett, San Jose, California; 10 grandchildren, Carrie Munoz, Garrett Lego, Luke Garrett, Ben Garrett, Emily Garrett, Katie Garrett, Megan and Mackenzie Garrett, and Annika and Taylor Garrett; and a great-grandson, Maximo.
She was preceded in death by her parents; a brother, Bill; a sister, Bobbie; and a daughter, Kathleen.