IN LOVING MEMORY - ELEANOR STRACK

Eleanor (Ellie) Bierly Strack passed away on January 27, 2021 in Saratoga Springs, NY at the age of 89.

Ellie was born in Vestal, NY on March 2, 1931. As a young girl Ellie was involved in Girl Scouts, and was the bugler each summer at camp.  She was one of the first high school students from the United States to be chosen to study abroad through the American Field Service. She studied in Oslo where she had the opportunity to meet and dine with the King and Queen of Norway.

In Ellie's second year at Keuka College she met her future husband, Allen Strack, who was attending Cornell University. Al was a 2nd Lieutenant in the Air Force and his orders moved the newly married couple to Wright Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, OH. Ellie worked at the base as a secretary to the general and attended University of Dayton at night. After his service, Al began working for General Electric, moving the couple all over the country from Long Beach, CA to Chicago, IL and Allentown, PA. During this time Ellie and Al had two children, Richard (Rick) and Margaret (Marno) and Ellie was able to finish college and earn her Master of Arts in English Education.

The family finally settled in Schenectady, NY. Ellie accepted a position at Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake High School where she taught American Literature, Folklore, Reading, Writing and Theater/Acting classes. She was advisor of the Drama Club where she directed many award-winning productions. Her passion for live theater and the arts was evident and she made lifelong memories for many of her students. During school breaks, Ellie modeled with the Barbara Thompson Agency in Albany doing runway, print, and TV work. Ellie began to paint and quilt while living among artists and musicians in the Stockade in Schenectady.

Ellie, Al, Marno, and Rick enjoyed summers on Lake George, camping on the islands and scuba diving. They built a camp on Dunham's Bay in the 1970s which became their beloved summer home.

Ellie was lovingly known as a kind, generous and vivacious woman. She loved all those who passed through her life. She wanted to be remembered as an 'interesting old lady", and that she was! She will be deeply missed by her family and friends.

Ellie is survived by her daughter-in-law, Theresa Strack, of Georgia, and The Dooley Family, her "adopted" family of Saratoga Springs, NY. Ellie was predeceased by her daughter Marno (1974), son Rick (1997) and husband Al (2009).

A memorial will be held on Lake George this summer.

In lieu of flowers, donation may be made in Ellie's memory to: Lake George Association, PO Box 408, Lake George, NY 12845 lakegoergeassociation.org

Online remembrances may be made at www.burkefuneralhome.com