Eleanor M. Reinhart

Eleanor M. Reinhart, of East Hill Road, found eternal peace on Sunday, August 21, 2022 in the loving care of her family and Hospice.

Eleanor was born 88 years ago on August 10, 1934 in the Town of Westerlo to Marion E. (Barrett) and Maurice “Dukie” S. Mercer, Sr. 

She was married to Paul C. Reinhart on December 22, 1954 in Preston Hollow 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 along side 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 MCS 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 daughters: Arleen (Doug) Kingsbury of Williamsburg, VA, 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; many great grandchildren; her brothers: Maurice “Sonny” Mercer, Jr., Clifton “Skippy” Mercer, Dorance “Buddy” Mercer; many nieces, nephews, cousins and extended friends that also thought of her as “mom.”  Eleanor was predeceased by her husband Paul and her grandson; Jeffrey Kingsbury. 

All are invited to visit with Eleanor’s family on Thursday, August 25, from 5-8PM at Coltrain Funeral Home, LLC, 134 River Street, Middleburgh.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00AM on Friday, August 26, 2022 at the Middleburgh Reformed Church, 178 River Street, Middleburgh, NY 12122.  Private interment will be at the convenience of the family.

Memorial donations in her honor may be sent to The Community Hospice of Albany County, 445 New Karner Road Albany, NY 12205

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