On Monday, May 13, 2024, Eleanor Borgelt Spencer left this earth in much the same way she lived her life, quietly and peacefully, with family and friends around her.
She is survived by her loving husband, James A. Spencer, her children Kim Smith, Robert Hoerz (Sue), Stephen Hoerz (Vicki), Allen Spencer, Lane Spencer (Brenda), daughter in law Joyce Hoerz and her grandchildren, Nichole Gallager (Josh), Michelle Bickford (Andrew), James Spencer, Tyler Hoerz (Lisa), Adam Hoerz (Erica), Benjamin Smith (Marjaana), Emilie Smith (Kyle), Ryan Smith, Joshua Hoerz (Sierra), and her great grandchildren, Cooper and Chase Hoerz, Sadie Hoerz, Nora and Erin Gallager, Brennan Bickford and Aada Smith. It’s a testament of all the love she had to share.
As an only child, born on May 4, 1933 to German Immigrants, Emilie and Frederick Borgelt, who owned and operated a small delicatessen in New Rochelle, NY. Eleanor quickly learned that work would be something she would always do in one way or another. Yet, she found time for other activities like cheerleading and chorus. Ellie attended Oneonta Teachers College and soon after graduation, began her teaching career in Larchmont, NY. In the early 1950’s she met and fell in love with Robert Adam Hoerz. They married in 1956 and moved to Middleburgh, NY which has been her home ever since. They had three children together and in 1965 she decided it was time to go back to work. She started teaching at Middleburgh Elementary School and never considered not working again. Ellie was truly loved by her students and their families, co-workers and the community.
Sadly, in 1971, her first husband passed away, yet somehow, she managed to continue working and caring for her young family. In 1972, she began dating her second husband, James A. Spencer. They fell in love and married in 1973. The families were then joined with five children, three of them teenagers. Again, a testament to her love and patience. They built a wonderful life together for 51 years.
Once the children were gone, they traveled the world together. When they both retired, they decided to do a cross-country tour. Always the educator, they bought a map of the United States for each of the families of their grandchildren. They would send a postcard from every place they visited and the grandchildren were asked to find where they were on the map. It was so much fun for the kids and a wonderful learning experience.
Both were very involved in Middleburgh Rotary. They sponsored many Rotary Exchange students through the 1970’s and 1980’s, who quickly became part of the family. Some even still keep in touch and visit periodically.
She was a long-standing member Century Club and a board member of the Mohawk Valley Library Association.
Ellie loved to entertain and truly enjoyed the company of others. When you left her home, you were full spiritually and physically, because that’s who she was. Ellie will always be remembered for her kindness and the help and support she would always offer to anyone she knew who was in need. This world was truly a better place because she was in it.
Ellie’s family would also like to extend our sincere thanks to Helios/Hospice and our wonderful Health aides.
A celebration of Ellie’s life will be held at 11:00AM on Saturday, June 1, 2024 at the Middleburgh Reformed Church, 178 River Street, Middleburgh, NY. All are invited to visit with her family from 5:00-7:00PM on Friday, May 31, 2024 at Coltrain Funeral Home, LLC 134 River Street, Middleburgh, NY. Private inurnment will be in Middleburgh Cemetery.
Memorial donations may be made to the Middleburgh Library, PO Box 670, Middleburgh, NY 12122 and the Middleburgh Reformed Church Furnace Fund, PO Box 112, Middleburgh, NY 12157
0 comments:
Post a Comment