Eleanor “Ellie” Houghton

QUEENSBURY – Eleanor “Ellie” (Hall) Houghton, 90, of Queensbury, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, September 13, 2016, at the Glens Falls Hospital.
Born on January 5, 1926, in Hudson Falls, she was the daughter of the late Frank and Agnes (Gappner) Hall.
Ellie started her career as a professional registered nurse who’s first nursing job was in the obstetrical department at the Glens Falls Hospital. She loved being involved with her community, so she accepted an opportunity from the State of New York and enrolled in a college program at Syracuse University, earning a certificate in the public service area. Ellie accepted a job with the Onondaga County Health Department and continued her studies at Syracuse University while working. She graduated with a B.S. Degree in 1957. Ellie then was awarded a federal scholarship to receive a master’s degree and enrolled in the master’s program at Columbia University, graduating with a degree in Community Health with a minor in Mental Health.
Following her graduation from Columbia, she took a position teaching at SUNY Buffalo. Soon after, Ellie was offered a position as a consultant to HMO, which was a new concept in home care. Finally, she ended her health related career as an administrator at the New York State Health Department in Rochester.
Ellie was blessed with an angelic voice, and had been singing since the age of four. She furthered her gift by studying voice part time at Eastman School of Music. Ellie was honored to have performed for audiences in England at the London Opera Company. She felt very blessed to have been able to sing very well into her 80’s and 90’s.
Ellie met her husband Richard, while working in Rochester. She had a wonderful life with him, the “man of her dreams”. After their marriage, they moved to the small town of Deerfield, NH. While she lived there, Ellie was president of the Woman’s Club and volunteered at the food pantry at church. Later in their lives, Ellie and Richard returned to this area to be near her family.
Ellie loved to learn and loved her church. She was a member of the Queensbury United Methodist Church, where she was active in church choir and gave a singing class. During her life, she even tried her hand at acting and painting. She was a member of senior groups and the CR Wood Community Theatre in Glens Falls. Ellie continued her love of theatre and music throughout her life. Although in later years, she had to give up some of her favorite things to do, like drawing and golf. She never let age or illness interfere with her love of life.
In addition to her parents and husband, she was predeceased by her brother, Francis Hall and his wife, Gertrude, her sister, Agnes Lewis and her husband, Walter, her nephews, John F. Lewis, Joseph Lewis, and Michael F. Hall; her nieces, Mary Ellen Crevison and Patricia McKinney.
Survivors include her nephews, James Lewis and his wife, Heidemarie of Kingsbury and Jeffrey Lewis and his wife, Chris, formerly of South Glens Falls and Timothy Hall and his wife, Sharon of Saratoga Springs; her nieces, Cathy Weed and her husband, James of Schuylerville and Cathy Hall of Saratoga Springs; and several grand nieces and grand nephews.
All are welcome to Ellie’s Memorial Service at 11 am on Saturday, at the Queensbury United Methodist Church on Aviation Road in Queensbury.
Burial will be at a later date at Riverview Cemetery in Groveland, MA.
Ellie was thankful to her family for the love and kindness given to her on a daily basis in her elder years, when she was unable to do for herself. A special thanks to Cathy Tessier who took are of Aunt Lou and made sure that she was loved and cared for. Also, sincere thanks to the Cathy Hall and her late husband, Michael for their visits and especially for Cathy’s wonderful cooking.
The family suggests that memorial donations be made to the Queensbury United Methodist Church, 460 Aviation Road, Queensbury, NY 12804 or the Charles R. Wood Theater, 207 Glen Street, Glens Falls, NY 12801.