GLENVILLE –

Eleanor Van Bellingham passed away peacefully in her home in Glenville, New York, surrounded by family on Monday, December 8th, 2025, at the age of 91. She grew up in Elizabeth, New Jersey, and later made her home on New York City’s Upper West Side, where she built a distinguished career as a copy editor at Redbook, Time-Life Books, and Life Magazine. During her years in New York, she was also an avid runner, embracing the rhythms and opportunities of city life.

In 1994, Eleanor retired and moved to Glenville to be closer to her daughters and grandchildren, a decision that shaped the next three decades of her life. There, she followed her interests with characteristic focus and curiosity. While living in Glenville, she pursued birdwatching, pet care, her work as a 4-H Master Gardener, and literature study.

Above all, Eleanor treasured time with family, often spending long summer days at the beach with her daughters and grandchildren.

Eleanor is survived by her beloved sisters, Mary Kunkler and Jill Klenota; her brothers-in-law, Peter McIlven and Ernst Henle; her nieces, Danielle McIlven, Paula Norman, and Theresa Henle; and her nephews, Joel McIlven and Adrian Henle.

She leaves behind her three loving daughters, Wendy Van Bellingham, Heidi Van Bellingham, and Katrina Blecher; her son-in-law, Rafael Epstein; and a longtime family friend, Stephen Talt.

She is remembered by three marvelous grandchildren, Joshua Gordon, Haley Van Bellingham, and Ari Gordon, as well as two deeply valued grandchildren by marriage, Ruth Dietrich and Kiyono Fujinaga-Gordon. Her great-grandchildren, Ezra and Rivka Gordon, brightened her final years.

She was predeceased by her sister, Jeanne McIlven; her brother, Paul Oppenheimer; her son-in-law, Tony Blecher; and her brother-in-law, Lawrence Van Bellingham.

Eleanor will be remembered as creative, meticulous, and fiercely intelligent. She was endlessly imaginative and possessed a bright sense of humor. Throughout her life, she met challenges with determination and built a world centered on family, friendship, and a deep appreciation for beauty in all its forms.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared with the family, online at: SimpleChoicesCremation.com