Catherine Helene Eckie

Catherine was born in Port Jefferson, NY on May 2nd, 1949 to Robert and Elaine Holland. She was raised with her older brother, Bob, in a bright, happy home in rural Middle Island, NY. Where her real story begins, however, is when she met her true love and soulmate, Dennis Eckie, when she was only 12 years old. Their fast friendship became a life-long romance a couple years later when Dennis took Catherine to her 9th grade formal school dance.

Parted briefly while Dennis was in the Army, Catherine worked hard and earned her Bachelor's Degree in English Literature and Education, graduating Summa Cum Laude from SUNY Plattsburgh in only three and a half years. A month later, Dennis and Cathy were wed on January 30th, 1971.

Catherine had a sharp mind and a keen wit. She was creative and loved literature, art and music - passions she shared and passed on to her two children, Lauren and Thomas. She was endlessly supportive of her family and friends. She joined PTA’s, HOA’s, volunteered and chaperoned dozens of school field trips. As a Girl Scout troop leader, she did endless arts and crafts, built parade floats and was even the regional Girl Scout choir director. As part of Take-One community theater, she built and painted sets with her husband and friends while her children participated in the musical productions. One summer Cathy joined the theater’s show choir and got to perform on stage with Laurie and Tom, which was a wonderful memory for the whole family.

Her greatest passion in life, however, was her love for Dennis. They were inseparable. All their lives they moved together, built together, worked, laughed and loved together. They were truly the definition of “for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health as long as we both shall live.” They passed from this life within 2 months of each other. They were a beacon of true love and friendship to everyone who knew them, and now they will be together forever.

Catherine is survived by her two children, Lauren Gisel and Thomas Eckie, their spouses, Kyle and Nicole, her brother Robert Holland II, and Robert’s wife Charlotte. Catherine was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Dennis Eckie, and her parents, Robert and Elaine Holland.

Wife. Mother. Sister. Teacher. Friend.

Always in our hearts.

Catherine was privately interred next to her husband, Dennis, at Pine Ridge Memorial Park on Monday, January 29th, 2024 in time for what would have been their 54th wedding anniversary.