Eleanor Marie Spagnolo (née Hockenmaier), aged 91, passed away Monday, April 13, 2026 at Southern Ocean Medical Center in Manahawkin, NJ. 

She is survived by sons Steven, Michael, Nickolas Jr. and his wife Christine, and daughter Jean Zagorski and her husband Arthur; grandchildren Nickolas III and Collette (Martin Mueller); and great-granddaughter Olivia. Close family surviving her include: sisters Carol Schenkel and Helen Lupardo (Charles); sisters-in-law Nenette and Lot lot; nieces and nephews Paolo, Christopher, Mark (Rania, Mark & Emma), Concetta (Rodson, Marina & Giorgia), Mary (Christian, Madeline & Tommy), Kim (Tim & Carter), and Charles Jr.; cousins Lorraine Holstead, Mary Accardi, Frank Spagnolo and numerous other cousins in Germany and Boston.

She was predeceased by her husband Nickolas, parents Maria and Eugen Hockenmaier; daughter Karen; brothers Werner Hockenmaier and Helmuth Hockenmaier; brothers-in-law Frank Spagnolo and Wilfried Schenkel; grandson Bryant Spagnolo; nephew Angelo Lupardo, cousins “Tante” Anna Ziegler (Alfonse), Ellen Kilgus (Wolgang), Dale Holstead, Andy Accardi, Eileen Spagnolo, and countless friends over many years.

Eleanor was born on August 1, 1934 in Brooklyn and spent her childhood in Lauterbach, Germany with her brother Werner and dearest Tante Elisabeth. She met her husband Nick in Ridgewood, Queens, where they married and resided for several years. They then moved to Albertson, NY to raise their family. They enjoyed living in retirement in Little Egg Harbor, NJ together for nearly 20 years.

Eleanor was a loving wife, mother and grandmother. She cherished her family more than anything and also stayed very close to her siblings and their families.

Eleanor worked briefly as a secretary for a Wall Street firm before becoming a homemaker for many years. She also worked at the Roslyn Savings Bank as an assistant cook and donated many hours of her time to cooking and food preparation for her children's bagel shop.

Although she constantly teased her husband (he loved it), she really was a devoted wife, and will be remembered for always finding very good uses to spend Nick’s money (usually on her grandchildren and other family—again, he loved it). He loved her endlessly, and they were happily married for nearly 65 years before he passed away in 2020.

Eleanor persistently always saw the best in everyone. Despite several difficulties that life threw at her, she had an overwhelmingly positive and happy spirit that was infectious to all in her presence, down to her last day. She was also very giving, and wanted everyone she loved to be happy. An incredible cook, Eleanor will be remembered for memorizing everyone’s favorite dishes and cooking all of them, even if it meant she put four different meals on the table at the same time.

Her Roman Catholic faith was very dear to her—you could always count on her to make every Sunday mass and would find her praying with rosary beads. She enjoyed being in the pool (although she couldn’t swim, you could always find her with her noodle), reading and playing cards.

Visitation will be held on Sunday 4/19 2-6pm at Weigand Brothers Funeral Home, 49 Hillside Avenue, Williston Park, NY 11596. Funeral mass will be held on Monday 4/20 at 10:00am at The Church of St. Aidan, 505 Willis Ave, Williston Park, NY 11596. Burial immediately following funeral at St. Charles Cemetery, 2015 Wellwood Avenue Farmingdale, NY 11735.