Eleanor Alexander

Eleanor Paddock Alexander TROY - Eleanor Paddock Alexander, 97, passed away on October 23, 2012. Born in Springfield, MA, Eleanor lived most of her childhood in Melrose, MA. She won the New England regional tuition scholarship to attend Mount Holyoke College where she earned her BA degree, cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, in 1937, and her Masters in Chemistry in 1939. For several years, Eleanor taught Chemistry as head of the department at Lasell Junior College in Auburndale, MA. In 1942, she married Robert “Bob” Alexander, also from Melrose, and moved to New York City where Bob taught Physiology at Cornell Medical College. Eleanor moved three more times with their young family when Bob accepted faculty appointments at various medical schools: with two children, to Cleveland, Ohio for his position at Western Reserve; with five children to Augusta, GA for his position at University Medical College of Georgia; and finally in 1955, for his position at Albany Medical College. The family settled in Delmar, NY, where Eleanor and Bob lived for 46 years. Eleanor always had a strong commitment to volunteer work. While staying home to raise her family, she was active in Girl Scouts and with the Bethlehem School District. After taking some refresher classes in Chemistry, Eleanor returned to teaching in 1961 at the Junior College of Albany (now Sage College of Albany) and retired in 1978 as Professor Emeritus in Chemistry. After their retirement, she and Bob together volunteered at Five Rivers Environmental Center and traveled extensively throughout the world. For over 25 years, Eleanor volunteered weekly in Radiation/Oncology at Albany Medical Center. As an active member of First Church in Albany, she was in charge of the Food Pantry. In 2001, she and Bob moved to Beechwood Retirement Community in Troy where she continued to volunteer and help others. Eleanor is survived by 4 children (Joan Fordham of Baraboo, WI; Holly Adams of Rehoboth Beach, DE; Lindy Perez of Monterey, CA; Bruce Alexander of Winchester, MA), 9 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, 1 great-great grandchild and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband of 66 years, Bob Alexander in 2008, daughter Beverly Pill in 2001, and many other immediate family and in-laws. Relatives and friends are invited to attend a memorial service on Saturday, November 10, at 2 p.m. at the First Church in Albany, 110 North Pearl Street, Albany, NY, 12207. In lieu of flowers, a contribution may be made to the First Church in Albany or to Beechwood Retirement Community, 2218 Burdett Ave. Troy, NY 12280. For a private family guest book and service directions, visit www.brycefh.com.