Mary Kerr Eckhart

Mary Kerr Eckhart, 81, passed away suddenly at her home in Tallahassee, Florida, on August 31, 2014. Born November 12, 1932, in Allentown, PA, Mary was the daughter of the late Russell Master Kerr and Ellen Romig Kerr and the younger sister of the late Alix Kerr.

As a youngster, Mary moved with her family to Sunnyside, Queens, New York City, NY. There she developed her lifelong love of music and began to play piano with her beloved teacher and concert pianist, Miss Frances de Villa Ball. Her mother was a writer (previously the first female reporter on the Allentown, PA, newspaper) and her father was a music critic for Musical America, so the family was always surrounded by literature, arts and music.

Due to health concerns, her mother relocated Mary and her sister to West Palm Beach, Florida. There Mary and her sister attended and graduated from Palm Beach High School. Following high school, Mary entered Florida State University to pursue a degree in Musicology. She later switched majors and received a Bachelor's degree in Social Work.

While at FSU, Mary met her husband, Lewis V. Eckhart, and they were married in 1954.

Both Mary and Lewis loved the Tallahassee area and decided to settle down there to start their family. Eventually, they purchased the land and built their home, where they raised their three children and Mary spent the rest of her days.

Mary was passionate about the education of young children. So she began as a teacher at The Creative Pre-School, but became the Office Manager a couple years later.

She spent 28 fulfilling years working at Creative before she retired. Mary loved music, young children, pets, gardening and birdwatching in her backyard. She was an avid reader and crossword puzzle enthusiast. In the years following her retirement, Mary and Lewis enjoyed many trips together, including riding the train across Canada, and visiting Yellowstone, Yosemite, Nova Scotia, Alaska, North Carolina (where they owned a vacation home), New York (to visit their sisters) and Vermont.

She is survived by her husband, Lewis V. Eckhart; her three children, Leslie Eckhart (Steve Hardy) of Monticello, Florida, Jason Eckhart of Glen Burnie, Maryland, and Melinda Howell (Todd Howell) of Ocoee, Florida; her five grandchildren, Delaney Watson of Monticello, Florida, Eric and Rowan Eckhart of Charlottesville, Virginia, and Jackson and Braden Howell of Ocoee, Florida; her faithful dog, Daisy; and many others who loved her.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, October 4, 2014, at 10:00 a.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Tallahassee (2810 N. Meridian Road, Tallahassee, FL 32312).

A reception will follow. All are welcome and invited. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in her name to one of Mary's favorite organizations: Tallahassee Youth Orchestra (1415 Timberlane Rd, Suite 209, Tallahassee, FL 32312), Leon County Humane Society (413 Timberlane Rd, Tallahassee, FL 32312), or Wild Things Unlimited (www.wildthingsultd.org ,P.O.Box 1522, Bozeman, MT 59771).