Born: July 18, 1925
Died: October 6, 2016
Married: William Meyer
Children: David, Jim, Rick and Paul
Lenore Eichel Meyer worked in the family business, the Meyer Drug Store, and later as a teacher of home economics in the Saranac Lake school system.
Adirondack Daily Enterprise, October 24, 2016
Lenore Eichel Meyer
Lenore (Eichel) Meyer of Port Orange, Florida, and formerly of Saranac Lake, passed away with her family by her side on Thursday, Oct. 6, 2016.
Lenore was a devoted and loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister and aunt, a caring and compassionate teacher, and loyal friend.
Lenore was born in Brooklyn on July 18, 1925, the daughter of Dr. Charles Gerard Eichel, an assistant superintendent of schools for the city of New York, and Fanny Dickler Eichel, a teacher in the city school system. Her parents instilled a love of learning and education in Lenore and in her older brother Albert “Bert” Eichel, who also became an assistant superintendent of schools.
She grew up in the Flatbush neighborhood, attending P.S. 152 through the eighth grade and graduating from Midwood High School in 1943. She was active in many clubs and organizations in high school, including serving as the official class secretary and participating in the Latin and Home Economics Clubs. Following graduation, Lenore continued her education at the University of Vermont, where she served as Student Government treasurer and as a member of the Cultural Committee. She was also a member of both the Faculty-Student and Pan-Hellenic Councils. In addition, Lenore was a member of the Home Economics Club and Delta Phi Epsilon sorority. She was the business assistant for the campus newspaper, the Cynic, and photography formal editor of the Ariel, the University’s yearbook. In 1947, Lenore graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Home Economics.
While attending the University of Vermont, Lenore met her future husband, William “Bill” Meyer of Lake Placid, after his return from service in World War II. Lenore and Bill married in 1948 and moved to Albany, where Lenore worked at Walsh’s Clothing Store as Bill completed his studies at the Albany College of Pharmacy, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Pharmacy. After Bill’s graduation in 1950, they then moved to Port Henry, where Bill worked as pharmacist and manager of the Meyer Drug Store. Soon thereafter, Lenore and Bill moved to Saranac Lake where Bill operated a drug store for more than 30 years. The drug store would later become a focal point of family activity with Lenore, Bill and their four sons: David, Jim, Rick and Paul, all working together side-by-side during the Christmas holiday seasons.
Raising four sons kept Lenore busy, but once all were in school, Lenore went back to college part-time to obtain her master’s degree in education so that she could teach. She attended the State University of New York at Plattsburgh, driving two hours each day to attend classes and, because family always came first, return home before the children were home from school. After achieving a Masters of Science Degree in Education in 1972, Lenore taught home economics at the middle and high school levels in the Saranac Lake school system for over ten years before retiring. Throughout her career, Lenore instilled in her students not only basic skills such as cooking, sewing and responsible financial management, but also an attitude that performing these skills could be rewarding and fun. In addition to raising her children and working, Lenore was an active member of the Women’s College Scholarship Club of Saranac Lake, serving in a variety of roles.
Following retirement, Lenore and Bill began splitting their time between Saranac Lake and Florida, eventually deciding in September 1989 to permanently settle in Port Orange. Away from the cold, icy Adirondack winters of upstate New York, Lenore thrived in the warmth and sunshine of her new surroundings. She was very active in the YMCA of Port Orange, where she met and made many wonderful friends through her active participation in water aerobics, an activity she regularly maintained until shortly before her death. Lenore also was an avid participant in and fund-raiser for the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walks to benefit the American Cancer Society.
Lenore and Bill enjoyed 64 wonderful years of marriage before he passed away on April 16, 2013. She was also predeceased by her older brother, Albert “Bert” Eichel , who died on Oct. 5, 2012.
Lenore is survived by four sons: David G. Meyer, M.D. and his wife, Helen Vahey Meyer, of Latrobe, Pennsylvania.; James L. Meyer, Ph.D. and his wife, Elizabeth Cowles, of Spokane, Washington; Hon. Richard B. Meyer and his wife, Gail Cagwin Meyer, of Saranac Lake; and Col. Paul S. Meyer, USAF (retired) and his wife, Heidi Burstein Meyer, of Acworth, Georgia. Also surviving Lenore are 10 grandchildren: Laura Meyer Lowry and her husband, Joseph Lowry, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Jessica E. Meyer of State College, Pennsylvania; Emily Meyer Petit and her husband, Jeremy Petit, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Hannah V. Meyer of Washington, D.C.; William H. Cowles Meyer of Los Angeles, California, and Tyler J. Cowles Meyer of Spokane, Washington; Charles C. Meyer of Pawtucket, Rhode Island; Samuel E. Meyer of Brooklyn; and Ryan J. Meyer and Brooke C. Meyer of Acworth, Georgia. A great grandson, Maxwell Joseph Lowry, also survives. Survivors also include two nieces: Jane Eichel of Frederick, Maryland, and Carol Eichel Anselmo of Massapequa and Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. Lenore also leaves many wonderful friends from both Saranac Lake and Port Orange.
A family and friends celebration of Lenore’s life will be held at a later date.
Those wishing to remember Lenore can make donations in her memory to their local Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk, and also participate in those walks, and/or to Halifax Health Hospice of Volusia/Flagler, 3800 Woodbriar Trail, Port Orange, Florida 32129.
