Eloisa Alexanderleconte Walker

DELMAR – Eloisa Alexander LeConte Walker died on Saturday, November 23, 2013 at the Hospice Inn at St. Peter's Hospital after a brief illness. She was born Eloisa Alexander LeConte on October 29, 1942 in Charlotte, NC. Friends and colleagues know her as Lisa. She graduated from high school in Ridgewood, NJ in 1959. Due to the gender conventions of the day, she was salutatorian rather that valedictorian of her class, despite having the top grades. Eloisa attended Wellesley College in Massachusetts and met her first husband Carl R. Ernst (1942-2010), who was attending Princeton. Eloisa finished her bachelor's degree at SUNY Albany and went on to earn a Masters of Social Work, graduating Suma Cum Laude. She then married Dr. Franklin Victor Walker (1926-2000) a Harvard trained Economics professor at SUNY Albany.


Prior to finishing her education, Eloisa was a committed volunteer serving organizations such as the Albany Junior League, the Wellesley Club, and was on the board of St. Margaret's House & Hospital for Babies. After earning her MSW, she worked for the Council of Community Services then served as Director of Social Services at St. Margaret's House & Hospital for Babies until retirement.


Eloisa was an avid patron and strong supporter of the Bethlehem Public Library, the Albany Symphony Orchestra and other local cultural institutions. Throughout her time in the Capital District, Eloisa was a dedicated parishioner of St. Andrew's Episcopal Church in Albany. Her participation in church life including singing in the choir, serving on the vestry and working in the Church Shop. Her most recent St. Andrew's focus was on the Haiti Mission.
Eloisa is survived by her daughter, Alison Adams Ernst of Pleasant Ridge, MI, son-in-law James R. Mumby, granddaughter Faith LeConte Weis; her son, C. Alexander Ernst of Boise, ID, daughter-in-law Melanie C. Ernst, grandsons Peter A. Ernst and James A. Ernst; her sister Jane L. Hart of Mebane, NC and nephews David and Kenneth Hart; stepchildren Jeanette Kornreich of Boulder, CO, Lance Walker of Gloucester, MA and Lisa Murray of Summit, NJ.


Funeral services will be held on Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, 10 North Main Ave, Albany, NY. A memorial gathering will begin at 9:30 a.m. at the church prior to the funeral service. Parking will be available at the College of St. Rose Lally & LaSalle lots. In lieu of flowers donations to the Haiti Mission may be made c/o St. Andrew's Episcopal Church (standrewsalbany.org)