Elinor Mettler

Elinor Mettler died Wednesday May 11, 2011 at her home in Copake Falls.

Born April 10, 1926 in Brooklyn, she was the daughter of Arthur, Sr. and Mary (Foley) Fox. She had lived in Copake Falls for 64 years.

Mrs. Mettler was the editor and publisher of the Roe Jan Independent, which she founded in 1973. She sold the paper in 1986 but continued writing for the paper for many years and was again writing her column "Down Maple Lane" for the Columbia Paper. Last year a collection of many of her columns from the last 25 years was published in book titled "Down Maple Lane". She is also the author of "The Fagan Sisters: A History of Life in a New York Country Village".

Mrs. Mettler used the Roe Jan Independent as a platform to promote the creation of the Harlem Valley Rail Trail Association and the initial purchase of the rail bed that is now the trail. She had continued to serve on the board of the HVRTA.

Throughout her adult life she worked hard to accomplish what would benefit quality of life the Roe Jan area. She co-founded the Roeliff Jansen Historical Society, serving twice as president; organized the Roe Jan Ramble road race; started the International Friendship Exchange; originated the Family Ski Day when head of the Roeliff Jansen PTA; was a member of the board of trustees of the Fairview Hospital and helped raise funds for the new Roeliff Jansen Community Library. She was currently a member of the Hudson Fortnightly Club. Mrs. Mettler was a member of Our Lady of Hope Church and attended St. Bridget's Church since the 1930's.

In 2000 the New York Parks and Conservation Association granted her the Greenway and Community Trail Spark Plug Award, recognizing her commitment and achievement in developing and promoting greenways and community trails. In 2009 Mrs. Mettler was named Copake Community Day Grand Marshall in honor of her long-standing community leadership.

Mrs. Mettler was pre-deceased by her husband of 54 years, Dr. John J. Mettler, Jr. a local veterinarian. Her survivors include her son, Patrick and his wife Patti Jones of Fitchburg, MA, and her five daughters, JoAnn and her husband Anthony Bosnick of Gaithersburg, MD, Jeanne Mettler and her wife Patricia Placona of Copake, Meg Wormley and her partner Michael Chesloff of Hillsdale, Sally and her husband Stephen Joyce of Braintree, MA and Suzanne Mettler and her husband Wayne Grove of Syracuse.

In addition her grandchildren Bridget Mettler, Joseph, Rosemarie, Matthew and Daniel Bosnick, Meghan, Christopher, Gregory and Annie Kate Joyce and Sophie and Julia Mettler-Grove, her sister Carolyn Barton of Ancramdale and her brother Arthur Fox, Jr. of Potomac, MD and several nieces and nephews, including her dear friend Richard Barton.

Friends may call at Peck & Peck Funeral Home in Copake Falls on Friday May 13 from 2 to 4 pm and 7 to 8:30 pm. A funeral mass will be conducted at Our Lady of Hope in Copake Falls at 11 am. Burial will follow in St. Bridget's Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Roeliff Jansen Community Library, PO Box 669, Hillsdale, NY 12529 or the Harlem Valley Rail Trail Association, PO Box 356, Millerton, NY 12546.

---