Eleanor E. Beken

Eleanor Elosia (Strahan) Beken, known as Norrie, 94, of Oneonta, NY, passed away early Friday morning, October 16, 2026, at Robinson Terrace Nursing Home in Stamford.

Born on February 1, 1932, in Poughkeepsie, NY, she was the daughter of the late Henry and Martha (Wool) Strahan. Following in her parents’ footsteps, Norrie became a competitive pistol shooter and as a high school senior was ranked 3rd in the country of women shooters. She attended Antioch College in Yellow Springs OH where she met her soon-to-be husband Robert E. Beken (Bob) from Bloomville, NY.

Norrie and Bob married in 1952 and enjoyed many happy years together. A few months after their 50th anniversary, Bob passed away in 2003.

Bob’s career with Gulf Oil took the family to a few different cities and states over the years. As a result, Norrie worked as an office assistant for several kinds of businesses, including locally. Bob’s retirement in 1987 brought them back home and they settled in Oneonta.

Norrie loved to travel both all over the US and abroad; one of her favorite destinations was Scotland, which she made several trips to. She was also an avid volunteer, giving her time to AO Fox Memorial Hospital Auxiliary, Habitat for Humanity, PEO Chapter BH, AAUW and the Clothing Guild.

She was a member of St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church in Oneonta, where she sang in the choir, served in the Bishop’s Appeal and the bereavement ministry.

Besides her husband and her parents, Norrie was predeceased by her sister Orril Begor, brother-in-law Vern Begor and sister-in-law Betty Adams.

She is survived by her daughter: Lynn Beken; nephews and nieces: Mike Wilser, Beth Adams, Scott Adams, Kim Minisce, Kris Rimlinger, Kate Hughes and their families.

A Mass will be held at 10:00 am on Tuesday, October 27, 2026 at St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church, 39 Walnut Street, Oneonta, NY 13820, with the Rev. Christopher Welch, celebrant. Burial will follow at Riverside Cemetery, Bloomville, NY

Contributions in memory of Norrie may be made to Habitat for Humanity or AO Fox Memorial Hospital Auxiliary.

Please visit www.macarthurfh.com to share condolences with the family.