Who is Eloise from Nine Stories and what is their importance?

Eloise moved to attend college in new York from her hometown, Boise, Idaho. While is New York, she met Mary Jane and fell in love with Walt. Though she never finished college, and Walt was killed in an accident while serving in the military, she has remained in touch with Mary Jane, whom she sees occasionally. Eloise is married to Lew and has one daughter, Ramona. She now lives in suburban Connecticut.

Eloise is described as physically and emotionally isolated in her home. She is jealous of Mary Jane's freedom, and she resents her husband, who has turned out to be a different person than the one she thought she was marrying.