Eleanor M. Kilmer, 87, of Hamden, passed away Friday January 29, 2010 at Delaware Valley Hospital, Walton.

Eleanor was born on March 29, 1922 in Hamden, the oldest of seven children born to Burton J. and Mae (Redmond) MacDonald. She was born on the family homestead that had been established in 1882. She married Donald C. Kilmer on November 24, 1940, in DeLancey. He predeceased her on August 16, 2000.

Eleanor and Don operated the End Valley Farm, registered Brown Swiss, for more than 40 years. She raised her 8 children and more than 34 foster children. She was a member of the Hamden Presbyterian Church for more than 60 years, a 4H leader (Country Cousins) for more than 50 years. She drove a Walton School bus for 10 years. In her spare time she enjoyed gardening, sewing and judging at the Delaware County Fair. Eleanor was not only a positive influence on her own children and foster children, she influenced the lives of many young people in the community, passing on her many skills in gardening, quilting, sewing, farming, canning and cooking. Eleanor took great pride in her flower and vegetable gardens.

Eleanor is survived by seven children and one special foster son. Surviving are Wayne Kilmer and wife, Theresa; Ryan Kilmer and wife, Beverly; Lynn Kilmer and wife, Amy, all of Hamden; Sharon Nagel of Walton; Loretta Foster and husband, Martin of Hamden; Gene Kilmer and wife, Kathy of Santa Maria, CA; Joanne Forry and husband, David of Simpsonville, SC; Ken Prestidge and wife, Penny of Hamden; She is also survived by 21 grandchildren: John Nagel, Brian Foster and Daniel Shackelton of Walton; Lora Foster-Cave and Janelle Kilmer both of Franklin; Deborah Muller and Andrew Kilmer both of Hamden; Aaron Kilmer of Peachbottom, PA; Melissa Amerson of Laurens; Bridgett Daggy of Candor; Constance Smith of VA; Scott Kilmer and Tana Gustafson of NH; Rebecca Mitchell of West Edmeston; Sandra McMinn of TX; Conner Kilmer of Utica; Katelyn and Jessica Forry of SC; Megan Kilmer and Amber Kautz of Santa Maria, CA; Jeffrey Foster of Las Vegas, NV and 27 great-grandchildren. Surviving siblings are: Marian Brown of Schenectady; Harold MacDonald and wife Gloria, Bernard MacDonald and wife, Joan both of Unadilla; Pearl Borkey of FL and Roy MacDonald of Schenectady; Eleanor is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. She is also survived by her sister-in-laws, Jesse Houck, Rose Guiles, Shirley (John) Buchma and Ruth Kilmer.

She was predeceased bya daughter, Linda Shackelton, grandson, Travis Kilmer; great-grandson, Jacob Kilmer; brother, Ward MacDonald; Brother-in-law, Robert Kilmer and sister-in-law, Louise Stevens.

Friends and relatives are invited to call on Tuesday, February 2, 2010 from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 PM at the Courtney Funeral Home, 25 Townsend St., Walton. Funeral services will be held Wednesday morning at 11 AM at the Hamden Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Linda Hendrian, officiating. Burial will be in Hamden Cemetery. A luncheon will follow at the Walton Fire House.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made in Eleanor's name to the Walton Emergency Squad, 61 West St., Walton, NY 13856; the Hamden Presbyterian Church, Rt. 10, Hamden, NY 13782, or the Delaware county 4H Cooperative Extension, Rt. 10, Hamden.