Eleanor P. Hathaway

Eleanor Pratt Hathaway, age 96, formerly of Syracuse, New York, died Sunday, September 18th, 2022.  Ellie and her husband, Ike Hathaway, spent more than 25 years at Kendal at Ithaca, receiving loving, compassionate care from all who supported them through a long and challenging illness.

Ellie was born in Brockton, Massachusetts, spending summers at the family beach cottage at Rocky Nook in Kingston where she met her husband, Ike, of 74 years who often paddled down the Jones River orchestrating “chance” meetings with her. She graduated from Westbrook Junior College, and when Ike returned home from overseas where he served in the 89th Infantry Division, they married, and Ellie became a medical technologist at the Burbank Hospital. Moving to Upstate New York, she loved going for rides to enjoy the beautiful scenery around the Finger Lakes and beyond.  A voracious reader who particularly enjoyed biographies, she also was an excellent baker–especially pies.  After numerous requests from friends, she sold her creations out of her kitchen.  She also enjoyed playing cards with her bridge club and poker with the guys.  When it was time to begin thinking about college for her children, she went to work full time, becoming a fashion merchandiser, enjoying the challenges as both a buyer and selling on the floor.  Upon her retirement, she became fascinated with antiques and played an important role as family historian, carefully researching and identifying family treasures.  She also discovered a hidden talent for art when she and Ike took oil painting lessons together.  While at Kendal, Ellie founded the Sing Along group that met weekly. Her passion for music brought her great comfort throughout her life.

Eleanor was preceded in death by her husband, Isaac Hathaway Jr., her sister, Bethel Roberts and her parents, Clarence and Marion Pratt. She is survived by daughters, Beth Glassford (Scott) and Janet Tusing (Allen) and by her grandchildren Eric Tusing, Cari Tusing, Jennifer Parlette, and Jessie Hathaway. She additionally Is survived by multiple great grandchildren and a niece by marriage, Leslie Roberts.

Interment will be at the Syracuse Veterans Cemetery, Syracuse, New York, next to her husband, Ike, at a later date. Donations may be made in Ellie’s memory to support ongoing education of staff and certification in the care of residents with dementia and Alzheimers.  Address donations to Kendal at Ithaca - The Hathaway’s Fund, 2230 N. Triphammer Road, Ithaca, New York, 14850.   

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Bangs Funeral Home, Ithaca, NY. Online condolences may be made to Eleanor’s family at www.bangsfuneralhome.com.

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