Jean Eckelmann

B. Jean Eckelmann, 89, of College Walk Retirement Community in Brevard, died on October 7, 2016. Her death from natural causes followed a long, enjoyable and productive life. She was preceded in death by her parents, an older sister, an older brother, her twin sister and a younger sister.

Born in 1927 to Charles Albert Roberts and his wife Grace Madeline (Pike) Roberts, Jean attended Glendale High School in Glendale, California, the town of her birth. At Wheaton College, Illinois, Jean earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. After graduation, she was employed as District Nurse in the Los Angeles School System and then as an instructor at Mountainside Hospital School of Nursing in Montclair, New Jersey.

Jean married F. Donald Eckelmann in June of 1953. The couple had two children: F. Donald, Jr. and S. Diane. During the next forty-one years the family lived and worked in four different states. At every opportunity Jean was active in her nursing profession and in 1982 this led to Jean's involvement in Hospice Nursing in Fairfax, Virginia where the first in-patient hospice facility in the U.S. was being established. Later, in Athens, Ohio, Jean was again active in her nursing profession and received The Hospice Volunteer of the Year Award in 1992.

A wonderful mother and grandmother, Jean's family was her greatest joy. She is survived by her husband, F. Donald Eckelmann, Sr., her son Don, Jr. and his wife and their three sons and by her daughter Diane Mills and her husband and their three daughters.

The family expresses their thanks to the residents and employees of College Walk for their kindness and support during the last days of Jean's life. Memorial contributions may be sent to Care Partners Hospice, P.O. Box 2440, Brevard, NC 28712.

A private memorial service will be held at a later date.

To leave a condolence for the family of Jean Eckelmann, please visit "obituaries" at www.moore-fh.com .

Moore-Blanchard Funerals & Cremations is caring for the family.