OXFORD – Eloise Chaffee Baldwin, 90, of Oxford, passed away peacefully Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2011 at home.
She led a long, productive and wonderful life. Eloise was born on Nov. 13, 1921 in Rexville, and was the daughter of Milton J. and Bernice Blair Chaffee. In 1951, at Greenwood, she married F. Wheeler (Mike) Baldwin, who predeceased her in 1983. She was predeceased by her brother, Blair G. Chaffee, in 1995.
Eloise made her home in Oxford since 1951 and was a graduate of Mansfield University with a degree in home economics. She also received her master’s degree from SUNY Oneonta and took post graduate courses at Cornell University. She taught in Hornell from 1943 to 1948, Guilford, and at Oxford Academy High School for the majority of her career, retiring in 1980. She was also a home demonstration agent for Cornell Cooperative Extension in Norwich.
She served on the Boards of the Oxford Memorial Library and Chenango County Craftsmen’s Cooperative. She was a long time member of the Joseph Jefferson Book Club of Oxford, the Woman’s Fellowship of the United Church of Oxford, the retired teachers of Oxford, the Oxford Garden club and the National Educational Association. She taught life skills to countless students throughout her career and touched the lives of many. She was always working, loved to entertain and had an excellent wit and an infectious laugh. After retirement, she loved buying, selling and collecting antiques and collectibles.
She is survived by her children and spouses, Ray and Kathleen Baldwin of Oxford, and Kent and Michele Baldwin of Skaneateles. She is also survived by her pride and joy, her grandson, Brogan Baldwin of Skaneateles. She is also survived by her sister-in-law, Dawn Chaffee of Hornell, and her niece and nephews and their spouses and families.
The family will receive friends on Friday at the Behe Funeral Home in Oxford from 4 to 6 p.m. A memorial service will held on Saturday at the United Church of Oxford at 11 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made in her memory to Hospice and Palliative Care of Chenango County, Oxford Dollars for Scholars or the United Church of Oxford.
The family wishes to express special thanks to her care givers Sally, Liz, Val, Cindy, Patty, Terri, Teresa, Tammy, Daisy Mae and the staff at hospice. Memories and condolences may be made by visiting www.behefuneralhome.com.