Eileen A. Eck

Eileen Alexander Eck entered into the presence of Jesus on May 21, 2026, surrounded by her husband and family. Eileen was born in Philadelphia on June 4, 1942, the second of Thomas and Henrietta Alexander’s three children. She came to know Jesus as her personal Lord and Savior as a child, and her love for Jesus became a pillar for the rest of her life.

Eileen grew up in Drexel Hill and Havertown and graduated from Haverford High School in 1959. She met Frederick Eck through friends at Grace Chapel in Havertown and they married and went on to enjoy nearly 61 years of marriage. Together, they raised their four children in Wilmington, DE. Her love for family was evident not only in her strong relationships with her children, but also in her lifelong closeness with her brother and sister and her love for her extended family in Northern Ireland, a place that held a special place in her heart. She took great pride in being a wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, and delighted in spoiling her family with delicious dinners and favorite desserts. Even until the end of her life, she was known to sneak her favorite treat, Peanut M&M’s, whenever she could.

Eileen had a profound impact in the churches she attended, including Grace Chapel, Bethel Baptist Church, Brandywine Valley Baptist Church, and most recently, Christian Fellowship Church. Over the years, she served in many different ministries, including leading Bible studies, Vacation Bible School, and the Bible Memory Association, and acting as a Pioneer Girl guide. She was passionate about global missions and enjoyed hosting missionaries and missions coffees at her house. She also was an Auxiliary member of The Gideons International.

In 2015, Eileen and Fred moved from their home of 49 years to Garden Spot Village in New Holland, PA. While she was a little nervous about making friends at her new home, she very quickly got to know and befriend many residents at Garden Spot — which came as no surprise to those who knew her best. She also became involved in various ministries and activities at Garden Spot, most notably as an organizer of the free monthly Community Meals at CrossNet Ministries. She enjoyed many hobbies and used her love of crocheting as part of the Prayer Shawl Ministry at Garden Spot. She also was known by many family and friends around the world as a faithful prayer warrior.

Eileen is survived by her husband of 60 years, Frederick Eck; her children, Miriam Stellini, Jeffrey Eck and wife Jennifer, Kristen Saufley, and Bryan Eck and wife Alison; her grandchildren, Rachel Stellini, Steve Stellini, Meg Stellini, Emmi Saufley, Emma Eck, Sophia Bell and husband Bryson, Clara Eck, and Michael Saufley; her great-grandchildren, Adalynn Bell and Bennett Bell; and her sister Ruth Diffin; as well as many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, her beloved stepmother Martha Alexander, and her brother John (Jack) Alexander.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a visitation at 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 27, followed by a service at 2:30 p.m. at the Chapel at Garden Spot Village, 433 S. Kinzer Ave., New Holland, PA.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be sent to CrossNet Ministries (elancocross.org).