Eleanor Mckillip

Eleanor A. McKillip, 105, of Saranac Lake, NY passed into the hands of the Lord on Tuesday February 4, 2020.

Born in Ellenburg Center, NY on August 15, 1914, she was the daughter of George and Mary (Harris) Atkinson.

Eleanor graduated from Bloomingdale Union High School in 1932 and received her teaching degree in 1935 from Plattsburgh State Normal School. She started her teaching career in the then rural three-room Lake Colby School. Later she was employed as a 2nd grade elementary teacher in the Saranac Lake Central School District retiring in 1975.

Eleanor was predeceased by her husband of 47 years Donald J. McKillip on April 10, 1994, her daughter Elizabeth A. Baker on November 21, 2013, her sister Grace L. Brewster on June 30, 2013 and her brother Captain William J. Atkinson in 1993.

Eleanor was a member of the National Educators Association, the New York State Retired Teachers Association, 50+ member of the VFW Auxiliary, past member of the “Over 55” Clubs in Bloomingdale and Vermontville, a past member of the Saranac Lake Golf Club. At the age of 92 she bowled a 240 at Romano’s Saranac Lake Lanes. She was a member of the ARRA – American Rosie the Riveter Association as a result of her employment during WWII at the Pratt and Whitney Factory in East Hartford, Connecticut, working on gears for British war planes.

Survivors include one daughter, Margaret M. Kelly and her husband Kerry of Saranac Lake, three sons: Philip P. McKillip and his fiancé Shirley Reich of Port Orange, FL, Michael J. McKillip and his wife Karry Ann of Saranac Lake, NY, James D. McKillip and his wife Nancy of Latham, NY, and a son-in-law Julian William Ruffin of Myrtle Beach, SC. Eleanor’s grandchildren: Jeremy Henderson, Ryan McKillip, Erin Horton, Tynan McKillip, Connor Kelly and his wife Jessica, Shannon Shaheen and her husband Justin, Matthew McKillip and his wife Emily and Laura McKillip and four great grandchildren: Blake, Breckin, Forrest and Olivia.

Funeral arrangements are in care of the Fortune-Keough Funeral Home, 20 Church Street, Saranac Lake, NY. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at St. Bernard's Church in Saranac Lake on Friday May 15, 2020 at 11:00am with Reverend Patrick Ratigan Officiating. Burial will immediately follow in St. Bernard’s Cemetery.

Family and friends wishing to remember Eleanor A. McKillip may make memorial contributions to St. Paul’s Oratory, Bloomingdale Fire Department or the Tri-Lakes Humane Society in care of the Fortune-Keough Funeral Home. Family and friends can also share their memories and sign the on-line guest book at Fortunekeoughfuneralhome.com.