Obituary of Eleanor M.L. Ziegler

Eleanor M.L.Lener Ziegler, the former owner of Ziegler's Bakery in Staten Island, passed away on Wednesday, October 10, 2018 at her home in Monticello at the age of 104 years old. The daughter of the late William Lener and Marie Klages Lener, she was born on April 4, 1914. She was the widow of William V. Ziegler who predeceased her in 1964. Eleanor was born in the historic Christopher house on Staten Island in 1914. In her teenage years, Eleanor worked for the Vanderbilt family on Staten Island, before meeting her future husband Bill Ziegler. Eleanor and her husband Bill successfully owned and operated Ziegler's Bakery in Staten Island for many years. She always loved to tell stories about being the counter girl. At the bakery is where she was able to perfect her many wonderful recipes. After Bill's passing and the sale of the bakery, Eleanor relocated to Sullivan County full time in 1969. She then worked at numerous hotels such as Gibbers, Gilberts, The Laurels, and The Pines as a switchboard operator. After the hotels closed, she helped care for many seniors, usually she was older than they were. Her favorite hobbies and pastimes included cooking, baking, knitting, and going to yard sales to find "treasures". Sullivan County proved to be a happy place for her because she was a country girl at heart. It reminded her of the rural Staten Island area she grew up in. Her main joy, above all was her family. Her son, grandchildren, and great grandchildren made her endlessly happy. She enjoyed spending time with them and telling stories about her life. Over the years she also had many friends whose company made her very happy. She is survived by her son: Gary W. Ziegler of Monticello; three grandchildren: Tina Kiefer, Jason Conklin & his wife Amy, and Nicole Ziegler & her husband Charles (Bobby) Moore; another special "grandson" Edward Wild; five great grandchildren: Ciera Nicole, Lauren Madison, Howard Donovan, Brielle Mackenzie and Rhys Noah; and several nieces and nephews. In addition to her husband, she was predeceased by three brothers: William, George & Fred Lener; three sisters: Gertrude Sarg, Marie Lener and Louise Baird; and a grandson-in-law: Howard Kiefer. A memorial service will be held at a later date. Memorial contributions can be made to St. Jude Children's Hospital www.stjude.org, to Hospice of Orange and Sullivan Counties www.hospiceoforange.com or to a charity of one's choice. Arrangements are under the direction of the VanInwegen-Kenny, Inc. Funeral Home of Monticello NY; for additional information or to send an online condolence, please visit www.kennyfuneralhome.com