Eleanor A. Giebitz

Eleanor Giebitz, 93, of East Berne, NY, passed away on August 18, 2026.

Eleanor was born on a farm in Delanson, NY, to Frank and Elizabeth Griessler. She attended a one-room schoolhouse for her elementary education and went on to graduate salutatorian of her class at Delanson Union Free School. She began her career working for the Schenectady Cooperative Extension.

In 1951, Eleanor married Paul F. Giebitz, and the two made their first home together in the Colebrook development in Schenectady. They later moved to East Berne, where Eleanor, her husband, and her father-in-law founded Heldeberg Bluestone & Marble, Inc. Eleanor served as the company's secretary and office manager for the first 60 years and then president for the following 10 years until the company closed, a testament to her dedication and steady presence in the family business.

Eleanor was a wonderful cook who loved to entertain family and friends. In her younger years, she hosted countless dinners, parties, and get-togethers, always happy to have a full table and a full house. She also loved adventure, such as when she took flying lessons to support her husband's love of flight.

She and Paul traveled extensively in their younger years, for both business and pleasure, attending building stone conventions throughout the United States and Europe, and later spent winter months in Florida each year, where they made many lifelong friends.

She was also an active member of her community, belonging to the East Berne Businessmen's Association and the East Berne Volunteer Fire Company Ladies Auxiliary.

In recent years, one of Eleanor's favorite pastimes was Wednesday night dinners with dear friends at the Maple on the Lake, especially with her longtime friend, Peg Warner.

Her family would like to thank the wonderful staff at Daughters of Sarah Nursing Home for their loving and compassionate care during her time there.

Eleanor was preceded in death by her husband, Paul F. Giebitz, in 2016.

She is survived by her three children, Susan (Howard) Shafer, Cathy (Rick) Higgins, and Paul (Kathy) Giebitz; her grandchildren, Adam (Sabrina) Giebitz, Aaron (Ceri) Giebitz, Alex (Ashley) Giebitz, and Kelsey (Matias) Higgins; and her great-grandchildren, Brynnlee, Brayden, Brooklyn, Ada, and Arlo.

Family and friends are invited and may visit with Eleanor's family in the Fredendall Funeral Home, 199 Main Street, Altamont on Saturday August 22 from 10am until Noon, with a brief service to immediately follow in the funeral home. Entombment will be in South Berne Rural Cemetery following the service.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Eleanor's memory may be made to the East Berne Fire Company Auxiliary or the Gathering Hope Food Pantry.