Else 'Elly' McKean

ELSE "ELLY" MCKEAN Anamosa Else "Elly" McKean, author, artist, educational psychologist, and loving mother and grandmother, passed away Monday, March 21, 2016, at the age of 99. As was her wish, she was able to die in her own home with her sons by her side. A time of remembrance will be held at 5 p.m. Saturday, March 26, at Goettsch Funeral Home in Anamosa. The family will greet friends from 3 to 5 p.m. Saturday. Thoughts, memories and condolences may be left at www.goettschonline.com. Elly was born June 6, 1916, in Berlin, Germany, where her father was serving as a medical intern. The family returned to the United States in 1917, where Elly graduated from Calhoun School and Vassar College in 1937. She later earned a graduate degree in educational psychology from Columbia University and taught remedial reading for many years. A cornerstone of Elly's life was her strong commitment to social justice. In the 1940s, she wrote "Our Negro Brother" and "Uphill," books promoting racial equality that were way ahead of their time. In addition, Elly was an accomplished artist whose enamel painting were exhibited in a number of New York galleries. Elly married Lloyd McKean, whom she met at art school, in 1942. After Lloyd returned from serving in World War II, the couple settled in Scarsdale, N.Y., where they spent many happy companionable years. When Lloyd was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in 1996, they decided to move to Anamosa to be closer to their older son and his family. Although making a big move at age 81 is never easy, Elly appreciated the kind reception she received in Anamosa and made many new friends in her adopted community. Elly is survived by her sons, Thomas of New York City and Andrew (Connie) of Anamosa; her grandchildren, Fern McKean of Cedar Falls, Evan (Alana) McKean of Petersburg, Ill., Nancy (Dolan) Blackwell of Bloomington, Ind., and Helen McKean of Carrboro, N.C., her great-granddaughter, Celia McKean; and a number of nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Dr. Leo and Edith Mayer; her siblings, Marjorie Novey and Leo Mayer Jr.; and her husband, Lloyd McKean, on Dec. 31, 2002. The family wishes to thank Elly's caregivers, Karel McLaughlin, Carla Burge, Deb Gray and Kim Fitch, and Above and Beyond Hospice for the beautiful, loving care that they provided. Elly was a sparkling, vibrant person who will be dearly missed by those who knew and loved her.