Eleanor M. (Mueller) Smith

North Greenbush - Eleanor M. Smith passed away on February 21, 2025 at the “young” age of 95. She was born in the town of Swinemünde, part of East Germany at the time, but spent her childhood in the seaside haven of Heringsdorf, Germany.

Eleanor was the oldest child of the late Paul K. Mueller and Irene Schlosshauer Mueller and was predeceased by the love of her life, Arthur E. Smith, and very recently by her younger sister Marion Mueller Gaenzle.

While Heringsdorf was a beautiful place to grow up and where many of her family members lived and thrived, surviving WWII left her with lasting memories from many difficult years there. In 1950, Eleanor moved with her family to Albany, New York and began a career in the chemistry lab of the Albany Felt Company. She later took her knowledge and love of animals to work as an assistant in a local veterinary clinic.

Eleanor loved all animals and took great pride in training her dog, caring for her cats and riding horses. We remember her special pets, including her dog, Cindy, and her cats, Boots and Murphy. Among her many creative talents, Eleanor excelled at knitting and sewing, gardening and entertaining. Her garden was her pride and joy and she never tired of the evolving landscape and the arrival of spring flowers and fresh vegetables from her garden. In addition, she had a passion for photography and enjoyed playing competitive tennis and swimming.

Eleanor and Art were active members of the local German culture club, Patroon Dog Training Club and the Uncle Sam Ski Club. They were adventurous and spent much of their free time seeing the world together. They embraced their adventures and relished their time, as staff messengers, with the World Courier Corporation, which enabled them to explore far flung places, including the United Kingdom, Europe, Western Asia and parts of Africa.  

Those left to cherish her memory are her brother Peter Mueller (Mary Girzone), her niece Jennifer Gaenzle (Colin) Smith, her nephew Rick (Maura) Gaenzle, and nephews Robert (Linda) Smith, Stephen (Diane) Smith, Scott Smith and Jeffrey (Sharon) Smith, and several grandnieces and grandnephews. 

The family wishes to thank Eleanor’s devoted caregivers who provided care and support and enabled her to stay living in her home, as she wished.

A memorial service will be held Sunday, March 30th, 2025 at St. John’s Lutheran Chapel, 303 Sand Creek Road, Albany at two o’clock in the afternoon.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in honor of Eleanor to the Eddy Alzheimer’s Services and St. Peter’s Health Partners, ATTN# Volunteer Program coordinator Mary Coleman, 421 Columbia Street, BLDG 300, Cohoes, NY 12047. 

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