MIDDLEBURGH — Eleanor M. Reinhart, of East Hill Road, “found eternal peace on Sunday, Aug. 21, 2022, in the loving care of her family and Hospice,” her family wrote in a tribute. She was 88.

Born on Aug. 10, 1934 in the town of Westerlo, she was the daughter of Marion E. (née Barrett) and Maurice “Dukie” S. Mercer Sr.

“She was married to Paul C. Reinhart on Dec. 22, 1954 in Preston Hollow,” her family wrote, “and together they set out on a life-long journey devoted to each other and to their family.

“Often quoted, ‘it takes a special woman to be a mom,’ the author must have known Eleanor. Talented around the home, her kitchen was always bustling with activity.

“Whether it was canning the best produce from her gardens, cooking some of the best chili sauce north of New Mexico, baking her famous Easter Egg cake, or preparing a Sunday dinner that left you feeling so full and loved, you couldn’t wait for the next.

“That’s the best part of Mom’s home cooking, a pinch, a dash, a scratch, and a whole lot of love from Mom’s heart.

“She puts her children and her husband before herself and sees diligently that the day’s work around the dairy farm is done, the home is kept, and the children are raised and nurtured to grow and be the very best and have every opportunity.

“And after all of that is done, a mom might find a little time to return to school herself and proudly take college courses alongside her own daughter, just as Eleanor did.

“She would find time to juggle all of this and still have moments to enjoy her passion for singing with many local choirs through the years and playing in the summer band concerts. Eleanor excelled at the saxophone, yet also loved to play the clarinet, organ, and piano.

“And quiet moments around the table were spent planning her strategy to win countless games of Sequence, “42,” and cards against her worthy family opponents.

“Eleanor’s smile greeted many voters through the years as she helped monitor the polls for the town of Broome and worked at the Schoharie County Board of Elections. She could also be found monitoring classrooms at Middleburgh Central Schools as a substitute teacher, keeping a watchful, motherly eye on her students.

“Such a full life, absolutely devoted to her family, Eleanor’s love will be held forever by her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, brothers, nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended friends that also thought of her as ‘Mom.’”

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Eleanor M. Reinhart is survived by her daughters, Arleen (Doug) Kingsbury of Williamsburg, Virginia, Alyce (Scott) DeCotes of Altamont, Lorraine (Ken) Troy of Montgomery; her son, Timothy Reinhart of Middleburgh; her grandchildren, Chelsea (RJ) Machuta, Brittni (Matt) Aberasturi, Ryan Troy, Kiera (“Sunny” Reyes) DeCotes, Devin (Kelly Nealon) DeCotes and Jennifer Kingsbury; her many great-grandchildren; her brothers, Maurice “Sonny” Mercer Jr., Clifton “Skippy” Mercer, Dorance “Buddy” Mercer; and her many nieces, nephews, cousins and extended friends that also thought of her as “Mom.”

Her husband, Paul C. Reinhart, died before her, as did her grandson, Jeffrey Kingsbury.

All are invited to visit with her family on Thursday, Aug. 25, from 5 to 8 p.m. at Coltrain Funeral Home at 134 River Street in Middleburgh.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 26, at the Middleburgh Reformed Church, 178 River Street, Middleburgh, NY 12122. Private interment will be at the convenience of the family.

 Memorial messages may be left at www.altamontenterprise.com/milestones.

Memorial contributions may be sent to The Community Hospice of Albany County, 445 New Karner Road, Albany, NY 12205.

Coltrain Funeral Home, LLC

134 River Street

Middleburgh, NY 12122

(518) 827-5200

www.coltrainfuneralhome.com