Saratoga Springs, NY - Eleanor Z. Mackey, 78, died peacefully at her home on March 10, 2008. She was surrounded by her loving family and friends.

Daughter of the late Eleanor and William Goodrich, she was born in Albany, NY on August 6, 1929. Eleanor was a graduate of Albany High School and Hudson Valley Community College.

She retired from NY State Higher Education in 1994. She was also employed as a waitress at Herbert’s Restaurant for many years and worked tirelessly to support her family. She was a member of the Van Rensselaer Choral Society and belonged to the choir at St. Mary’s Church of Clinton Heights. After moving to Saratoga Springs in 1994 to be closer to her family, she became a member of the Catholic Daughters of the Americas Court McLaughlin 422, Saratoga Historical Society and was also a volunteer at Saratoga Hospital. Eleanor married Dale Mackey on June 14, 1947.

They spent most of their married life of 47 years in Hampton Manor-Clinton Heights, where they raised their four children. She is predeceased by her husband Dale and their two sons David and little Dale; her brothers William and George Goodrich and sister Margaret Van Deusen.

She is survived by her loving daughter and care giver Susan Gratton and son-in-law Robert of Saratoga Springs; and son Albert Mackey and daughter-in-law Cindy of Stillwater; her devoted twin brother, Clemens Goodrich of Saratoga Springs and sister Catherine Lee of Albany. 

Eleanor’s spirit also lives on in her grandchildren, Cheryl Gratton-Pedone and husband Michael of Burnt Hills, Deborah Gratton-Garnsey and husband Glenn of Schuylerville, Jennifer Mackey-Abare and husband Jim of Windsor Locks, CT, and Gregory Mackey and fiancee Tara Shaw of Saratoga Springs and nine great-grandchildren, Rickey, Camryn, Cassandra, Anthony, Joanna, Haley, Emily, Madelyn and Nicholas. Eleanor was also blessed with a special friend, Roxanne Lester, who was by her side through her illness.

Relatives and friends gathered Wednesday at the William J. Burke & Sons/Bussing & Cunniff Funeral homes, 628 North Broadway

(584-5373).

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Thursday in the Church of St. Peter, 241 Broadway, by the Rev. Michael G. Cambi, associate pastor. Burial followed in the family plot in Our Lady Help of Christians Cemetery in Albany.

The family requests that contributions be made in Eleanor’s memory to Community Hospice of Saratoga, 179 Lawrence Street, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866.