Eleanor Larkin-Osterhout

Eleanor Larkin Osterhout (96) passed away gently on the evening of Wednesday, February 18th, 2026, she was with devoted family.

On October 7th, 1929, Eleanor was born in her family's farmhouse in Carlisle, NY. Eleanor loved growing up on the farm where she raised rabbits, worked the garden, cooked for the farm hands, and canned food. At 18, she married John A. Osterhout of Cobleskill and Eleanor gave birth to three children.

Throughout her lifetime, Eleanor showed her love for her family in many ways. She worked at the Cobleskill Bakery, was continually employed by the Boston Store in Latham and the Mohawk Mall, and for General Electric making capacitors. Eleanor delighted in being her son’s Cub Scout leader, she sewed many dresses for her and her daughters, and when sewing evening gowns for herself, she used leftover pieces to sew matching Barbie doll dresses for her daughters. Eleanor and her family joined the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church as the founding members, where Eleanor sang in the choir and assisted with Sunday school.

Her passions were gardening, reading, and sewing. Her gardens were admired by many. She relished watching her grandchildren compete in county fair activities and had a card for them for every occasion. Eleanor loved showing off her second home, Florida, to her visitors: mainly the manatees, ocean, and of course, Mickey.

Eleanor Larkin Osterhout is fondly remembered by her brother, Frank Larkin (Brenda), her children, Gary P. Osterhout (Lorraine), Susan Bivins (Richard), Linda J. Fritze (Jeffrey), her grandchildren John C. Monica, Kate M. Hoefer (Eric), James D. Osterhout (Erin), Elizabeth M. Pyo (Michael), Victoria E. Dudek, and Karis R. Dudek, and seven great grandchildren.

Eleanor is predeceased by her cherished husband John A. Osterhout, and her kindhearted grandson Jacob A. Osterhout.

A Celebration of Life will be held Wednesday March 4th at New Comer Cremations and Funerals, 181 Troy-Schenectady Road in Watervliet at 10:30am. Floral print and bright colored clothing is appreciated.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Iroquois museum in Howes Cave, NY and The 4-H Training Center on Middleline Road in Ballston Spa, NY. She hated cut flowers, often jesting “don’t you know they live longer if they have roots?”