Obituary of Elinor M. Henkels

After a feisty, but dreadful battle with Alzheimer’s disease and two bouts of COVID, Elinor McLaren Henkels went to be with the Lord on May 24, 2022. Elinor was born Elinor Ann McLaren on March 27, 1940 in Penn Yan, NY to George and Delores McLaren. She grew up in Ithaca, NY and graduated from Ithaca High School. She then went on to earn her nursing certificate at Genesee Hospital School of Nursing in Rochester, NY and became an RN. While working as a nurse in Ithaca, Lois Henkels (Elinor’s friend at work) introduced her to Joseph Henkels (Lois’ uncle). They were married months later and moved to Newfoundland, PA to begin raising a family. They decided to build a house in nearby Moscow, PA. She worked part and full time as a private duty nurse and hospice nurse during this time. In 1990, the family made the decision to move to Mesa, Arizona. She continued in home health care until she retired. After purchasing a modest place to spend the summers in Bath, NY, Elinor and Joseph became “snow birds” and spent about 6 months in each place (Arizona and NY) each year until last year. She was a caring, loving, and beloved wife, mother, sister, and friend. Elinor loved spending time with family. Reunions and the fall apple cider pressing events were family highlights that she looked forward to each year. Her deep faith in Christ was evident to all who met her or all who were able to browse through her very worn out and abundantly notated Bible. She loved her church family and was an active member wherever she lived. She was a prolific quilter and had made several for family and friends, one earning a first prize award at the Greene-Dreher-Sterling Fair in Newfoundland, PA. She is survived by her husband of 51 years, Joseph E Henkels; son and daughter-in-law Mark and Jessica Henkels; sons Eric Henkels and Gary Henkels; grandchildren Teagan and Marek Henkels; sisters Marge Strosnider and Phyllis Sommerman; numerous cousins, nephews, and nieces; and four beloved cats. Her family has set up the Elinor McLaren Henkels Memorial Scholarship and donations can be made payable to: Greene Dreher Scholarship Fund PO Box 171 Newfoundland, PA 18445