Obituary of Mary Eckert

DeLANCEY — Mary Eckert, 89, of DeLancey, passed away peacefully Aug. 17, 2013, at Mountainside Residential Care Center in Margaretville. Mary was born April 13,1924, in Whiting, Ind., daughter of George and Mary (Pekala) Firment. Mary grew up in Shavertown and graduated from Andes Central School. She married John E. Eckert in 1942, in Arkville. Together they operated dairy farms in Shavertown, moving to DeLancey in 1952, where they raised their daughters. He predeceased her in 1995. Mary was an avid baker, known for her meals and baked goods, particularly those of her Slovak heritage. She loved God and was an active member of St. Anne's Church in Andes. Mary will be remembered for her pinochle skills and her love of bingo, auctions and music. She is survived by four daughters, Diane Eckert Reichert and her husband, Richard of The Villages, Fla., Sally Ann VanBenschoten and her husband, Eric of Andes, Mary Margaret MacNaught and her partner, Gordon Tyler Jr., of DeLancey, and Sharon Louise Pawlak and her husband, Mark of Centerville, Tenn. Mary had eight grandchildren, Brian Reichert and his wife, Andrea Boyd, Heidi Reichert Robes and her husband, Andrew, Jeff VanBenschoten and his wife, Heather, John VanBenschoten and his wife, Kate, Eric M. VanBenschoten and his wife, Kristin, John MacNaught, Joshua Pawlak and Victoria Pawlak; and six lively great-grandchildren, Dana, Jason, Reese, LilliAn, Bella and Jay. Mary was predeceased by her sister, Helen Firment Byrnes; her brother, George Firment Jr.; grandson, Kevin Richard Reichert; and granddaughter, Michelle Cassidy MacNaught. Calling hours will be from 7 to 9 p.m. Monday, Aug. 19, 2013, at MacArthur Funeral Home in Delhi. Mass will be held at Sacred Heart Church in Margaretville at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 20. Burial will be in Andes Cemetery. A very special thank you to the staff at Mountainside for their kind and special treatment of Mom. Donations may be made to the Mountainside Residential Care Center, Activities Department or the Alzheimer's Association. Those who wish to share condolences or a special memory may do so online at www.macarthurfh.com. Arrangements are with the MacArthur Funeral Home of Delhi.