Eleanor Hotaling

Obituary

Hotaling, Eleanor E.

Castleton-Eleanor E. Hotaling died at her home on May 31, 2019 in Castleton, New York at the age of 90.
She is survived by daughters, Barbara Simms (Lenton); Debra Lebrecht; sons, Thomas Hotaling; Kenneth Hotaling (Pamela); grandchildren, Jason Lebrecht; Brendan Simms (Tara); Aaron Simms (Rachel); three great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 63 years, William Hotaling; daughter, Carolyn Hotaling; son, William Hotaling; sisters, Dorothy Carlic and Marjorie Hotaling; brother, Dayne Peter; and granddaughter, Jolene Hotaling.

She was a longtime member of Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church teaching Sunday school and singing in the choir. She worked for a number of years for the Town of Schodack in the Building and Highway Departments.
Eleanor had a love of animals. Her children grew up with the usual cats and dogs, but she added to the mix, rabbits, a parrot, and an abandoned baby squirrel which she raised in the pocket of her sweater. On her farm she raised a sheep, chickens, an angora goat and angora rabbits. During the last few weeks of her life she was still feeding the feral cats that visited her. Her two house cats were doted on and indulged.
Her artistic side was demonstrated through her sewing, paintings, weavings, and spinning. She was a talented gardener who seemed to be able to coax any plant into overproduction. Her garden, and the birds that visited her feeders, brought her special pleasure.
Eleanor was a loving and generous sister, mother, grandmother and friend. You had to be careful not to admire anything in her home as she would plead with you to take the item, claiming that she really didn’t need it. Her children and grandchildren have many wonderful memories of times with ‘Gran’.
Eleanor was a gentle soul who delighted in her family and nature. She is missed.
A Memorial Service is scheduled for Friday, June 14, 2019, 11 am, at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church followed by a luncheon in the church hall. All are welcome to attend to celebrate Eleanor’s life. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Eleanor may be made to the Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, Green Avenue, Castleton, NY 12033 or the Mohawk Hudson Humane Society, 3 Oakland Avenue, Menands, New York 12204.

Ray Funeral Service, Inc.
59 Seaman Ave.
Castleton, NY 12033
(518)732-7663

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