Eleanor U. Eckert

Albany – Eleanor U. Eckert passed into eternal rest on September 19, after a long illness. Eleanor’s last weeks at the Teresian House were filled with the constant companionship of her loving and devoted family. Eleanor was one of 10 children born to the late Florence and Alton Utter and grew up in Fort Plain and Canajoharie. She received her nursing degree from the Union University School of Nursing and soon began devoting her time to raising her five children. Eleanor was a kind, compassionate, forgiving and giving mother, grandmother, great grandmother and friend. She loved outside activities, including walks on the beach, and spending summers on Lake Placid. She was also a very good golfer, skier and bowler. Eleanor enjoyed the holidays, especially Christmas, and decorated her home extensively for the enjoyment of her family. Above all, Eleanor was devoted to her children and grandchildren and showered them with her love, understanding and her forgiveness. Eleanor is survived by her husband of 37 years, Edward J. Eckert and her five children, David Morris (Gayla), Nancy Flores (William), Kathleen Hinckley (Robert), Karen Hilton (Robert) and Caroline Lounsbury (Clyde), 19 grandchildren, Megan Hodgson, Sarah Morris, Lauren Morris, David Flores, Thomas Flores, Jared Flores, Anna Flores, Rachel Ross (Tyler), Zachary Hinckley, Daniel Hinckley, Emily Kowalczyk, Bradley Kowalczyk, Claire Kowalczyk, William Hilton, Leah Hilton, Keira Morris, Camryn Lounsbury, Connor Lounsbury and Cooper Lounsbury, four great grandchildren, Garrett Hodgson, Chase Hodgson, Theodore Morris, and Benjamin Ross, and her brother Robert Utter (Pamela). She is also survived by Edward’s children, Elizabeth Rutnik, Stephen Eckert, and their families. While Eleanor was a nurse by education, she also worked in business and even served as the “general contractor” in building her and Edward’s Slingerlands home. Her toughness in dealing with homebuilding and her spirit of never giving up were evident in her last years of her life. Eleanor’s family would like to thank the staff at the Teresian House, notably the fourth floor staff, for the compassionate care they provided their mother, and would also extend their sincere gratitude to Community Hospice for making the last weeks of Eleanor’s life comfortable.

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Eleanor U. Eckert

November 10, 1934 - September 19, 2016