Nicole Felice Eaton, 44, of Eudora, is remembered by her former pastor, Ross Baker, now serving in Emporia, as someone who was always willing to “step up” and take on more responsibility if it meant helping her community. Eaton attended the Eudora United Methodist Church.

“She had such a big heart and desire to see the success of ministries and outreach,” Baker said. “She was always willing to step in and lend a hand. That was just a really incredible thing about her. She always was looking to how she could best serve not only the church, but the community surrounding as well.”

Eaton was a member of the praise band at her church, and she played “an integral part” in maintaining worship during the COVID pandemic and getting church services back to normal afterward, Baker said.

He said that during the pandemic, which began in early 2020, the praise band would meet and perform to an empty room, but Eaton’s spirit lifted those up around her and helped everyone get through those dark times.

“Nicole had such a heart and passion for people from all walks of life. All folks from any sort of background. You know, she could always find the good and even in the moments of struggle find a way to kind of laugh about it,” Baker said.

Eaton and Baker connected through music. He said that Eaton told him some of her favorite hymns were the ones she remembered her own family members singing when she was a kid. He said that she acknowledged that she had some rough times early in life but had returned to her faith stronger than ever.

Eaton’s friend and fellow praise band member, Erin LeGrand, said that she also first connected with Eaton through music.

“(Eaton) joined the praise band and the choir and the bell choir, every music aspect that was offered at church,” LeGrand said.

She said what she learned about Eaton next was how big of a heart she had not just for the church but for her family and the community at large. She said Eaton would volunteer to help with Eudora’s Main Street Market and other community events.

“Anyone who needed help, (Eaton) was always like ‘hey, I don’t know how to do this, but I’m willing to try,’ and she always had that attitude to give it a go, and I always really appreciated that,” LeGrand said.

LeGrand said that Eaton loved her daughters dearly. Eaton’s family has asked for privacy during their grief.

Baker spoke briefly about Benjamin Eaton, 52, who was also found dead on Friday. Baker said that he met Ben a few times and that Ben did not go to church nearly as often as Nicole. He said the times he did talk with Ben, he was pleasant, cordial and friendly.

In her professional life, Eaton was a certified paralegal with 24 years of experience and was a director of the western district of the Missouri Paralegal Association. She was also the professional development director for the Kansas City Paralegal Association.

Eaton was also an animal lover. Baker said that Eaton even brought some of her dogs to be blessed by the church.

“Nicole loved animals, and she had a special heart for those animals that maybe weren’t easy to home,” Baker said.

He said that it wasn’t a common practice for churches to bless animals, though it is becoming more so. He said Eaton was glad to be able to combine two of her great loves, her faith and her dogs.

“I got to meet several of her dogs a couple of times, and they were always very sweet. Nicole loved dogs … recognizing that animals, our pets, are very just as much a part of a family as, you know, siblings or others might be. Especially for those that may not have kids, or have kids that are grown, or those who just want extra companions,” Baker said.

A GoFundMe account has been set up to support the Eaton family at gofundme.com/f/urgent-assistance-needed-for-family-emergencies.