Eleanor L. Wiedemann

GLENMONT – Eleanor (Luther) Wiedemann, aged 94, died peacefully at her residence in Glenmont on April 24, 2014. She was cared for by her granddaughter who lived with her and predeceased by her husband James who died in 1996. Born on July 29, 1919 in Oneonta, NY, she was one of three children of the late Rev. Philip and Daisy (Sweet) Luther. Her family lived in Oneonta and Herkimer before moving to Albany where her father was pastor of St. Peter's Lutheran Church. She met her future husband at a square dance during WWII just prior to his active duty service in the US Navy as a Seabee. She was a longtime resident of Glenmont where she moved after her marriage in 1946. Eleanor graduated from Albany Business College in 1940 and worked as a secretary for the F.W. Woolworth Company before her marriage. Eleanor loved her family and friends, living in the country, and animals of all kinds. She enjoyed cooking, entertaining, and travel. She and her beloved husband "Jimmy" were both members of the First Reformed Church of Bethlehem where she sang in the choir, served as church secretary, was a member of the consistory, helped to run the food pantry, taught Sunday school and was active in the Women's Guild. She was also a lifetime member of the Town of Bethlehem Historical Association. Survivors include her sister, Mary "Kay" McCann of Colonie, daughters, Ellen Kawano (Shinji) and Martha Youngblood, a son, Carl Wiedemann (Laura). She had six grandchildren; James and Kevin Youngblood of Albuquerque, NM, Makoto and Masaki Kawano of Hamilton, Ontario, Kristi Wiedemann of Princeton, NJ, Heidi Wiedemann of Glenmont, and one great granddaughter; Kaitlyn Rice. She also left four nephews and nieces – Jack and Philip Luther, Susan Smith, and Nancy Messercola. Relatives and friends are invited to attend services at the First Reformed Church of Bethlehem in Selkirk on June 8th for a celebration of her life which will follow the regular 10 a.m. worship service. The family would like to thank the caring and dedicated staff at the Eddy Daybreak in Rensselaer. Thanks also to the care and comforting help of the Visiting Nurses Association and Community Hospice. Memorial contributions may be made to the First Reformed Church of Bethlehem, 38 Church Rd., Selkirk, NY 12158 or to the Alzheimer's Association, 4 Pine West Plaza, Suite 405, Albany, NY 12205.