Doris L. Wengenack

NELLISTON – Doris L. (Cool) Wengenack, age 85, of Nelliston, New York, passed away suddenly on Tuesday morning, April 8th, 2025, at Ellis Hospital in Schenectady, New York. She lived in her home of 57 years with her daughter, Lisa Wengenack.

Doris was born in Little Falls, New York, on April 30th, 1939, to Raymond and Mary (Shaver) Cool of St. Johnsville, New York. She was the oldest of three siblings, additionally to Betty Cool and John Cool.

When she was young, if she was not helping with chores around the family farm, she spent much of her time with her Aunt Lulu and Uncle Murray Bell who lived on a farm just North of the Cool Farm on Bell Road in St. Johnsville, New York. Aunt Lulu was the one who taught Doris about Jesus and saying prayers. She also enjoyed going to church on Sundays at the Lassellsville, New York church. Her faith in God and prayer was always a strong part of her life.

After Graduating from Oppenheim-Ephratah Central School, Doris attended the Utica School of Commerce earning her degree in secretarial and bookkeeping work. She would go on to work for Border’s Gas in Fort Plain, New York, and then Beech-Nut offices, until she stopped to be a full-time Mom.

She married George Wengenack on September 1st, 1961. In 1966, they purchased a house at 33 Prospect Street in Nelliston, New York, which became her lifelong home. Doris and George welcomed a son, Thomas M. Wengenack on August 10th, 1963, and then a daughter, Lisa L. Wengenack, on September 12th, 1967. She was simply elated that she had a boy and a girl. That was her perfect family. She devoted the next 22 years of her life to taking care of her children and taking them to numerous extracurricular activities.

She and George divorced a few years later and she went back to work as a secretary, retiring from Montgomery County Social Services, Fonda, New York, at the age of 62. She would live out her life at 33 Prospect Street in Nelliston, New York, with her daughter and grandchildren living with her from time to time.

Her grandsons, Chris and Raymond Van Alstine and her granddaughter-in-law, Karlie Heron lived with her and cared for her for many years until 2023. It was then that her grandsons moved to Alabama to live near their sister, Doris’s granddaughter, Tara Esslinger and her husband Brandon Esslinger. Her daughter moved in with her then to care for her and enjoyed the next two precious years.

Doris also lived for the visits and time she got to spend with her son Thomas, and his wife, her daughter-in-law, Nancy Wengenack, and her grandsons, Tim, and John Wengenack. They all reside in Rochester, Minnesota.

Doris was a sweet and friendly woman and became a dear acquaintance of many people she met throughout her life. She spent several years attending Valley Alliance Church in Nelliston, New York, before she became too disabled. She still enjoyed friendships with friends she made there. She remained close with Pastor David Prahst who continued to call her after he moved out of state.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday April 12th, 2025, at 10:00 AM at The Enea Family Funeral Home, 9 Center Street in St. Johnsville, New York, where a small time of prayer will be offered by Rev. David Prahst. Those attending may begin arriving around 9:30 AM Saturday morning at the funeral home and attend the service and then the committal service to follow at St. Johnsville Cemetery. She will be interred next to her parents.

Doris will be dearly missed by all who knew her.

The family has been served for many years by The Enea Family Funeral Home, who has handled all arrangements. This obituary can be shared from the funeral home website by visiting www.eneafamily.com on the Internet.

Enea, Ciaccia, & Applegate Funeral Directors (518) 568-2300.