Eleanor L. Ralston passed away peacefully on Saturday, May 16 at United Hebrew

Nursing Home in New Rochelle, NY, surrounded by family. She was born in Macomb,

Illinois, the youngest of the four children of George and Freda (Doll) Douglas, on July 17,

1927. After finishing high school, she entered the University of Iowa, where she met and

married her husband, Leonard Ralston. The couple graduated in 1949. She pursued further

graduate study at the University of Iowa as well as Syracuse University.

Eleanor worked for the State of Wisconsin in Madison, as well as at the Veteran’s Hospital

in Iowa City, Iowa, and taught in the Bridgewater, Iowa, High School. After her husband

completed his education in Iowa City, they relocated to Cortland where he was employed

at the College at Cortland teaching American History.

While raising their five children, Eleanor was active in many community groups. She

volunteered for 25 years or more at the Guthrie Regional Medical Center, as well as the

1890 House and Victorian Guild, the YWCA, and the Red Cross. An active member of a

number of Faculty Wives groups, she enjoyed singing with the Merry Madrigals group.

Always a lover of flowers and gardens, she and Terry Benedict directed the garden group

for many years. Eleanor enjoyed reading and was a long-time member of the faculty wives

book group. While a member of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Cortland, she served

on the Board of Trustees as well as a variety of other roles. She greatly enjoyed summer

vacations spent traveling with the family, visiting friends and relatives and exploring

historic and scenic sites.

Eleanor was predeceased by her husband, Leonard Ralston, her brothers, Glenn and

Herman Douglas, of Macomb, Illinois, her sister, Thelma Mortell of Ann Arbor, MI,

and grandson, Patrick Hinchcliffe. She is survived by her five loving children: Mark D.

Ralston (Mara) of Boston, MA; Kay Merola of Syracuse, NY; Carol Hinchcliffe of

Mamaroneck, NY; Beth Ralston of Rye, NY; and Matthew (Ryoko) of Glen Rock, NJ.

Eleanor is also survived by seven grandchildren: Alana Ralston, Andrew and Jake Merola,

Max, and Clara Hinchcliffe, and Conan and Juno Ralston.

There will be no public services, in accordance with Eleanor’s wishes. A family gathering

will be held at a later time. Memorial contributions may be made to the Guthrie Cortland

Medical Center ( Giving Online to Guthrie | Guthrie ) or the Unitarian Universalist Church of

Cortland ( UUCortland.org ).

Condolences may be sent to her family via email to ralston1661@gmail.com.