Joanne Eckert

Joanne Eckert passed away peacefully at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Yonkers, NY on November 8, 2025 surrounded by family. Joanne was pre-deceased by her beloved husband of 54 years, Kenneth M. Eckert. They lived for over 40 years in Fairfield where they raised their four children Carolyn (Dana Gentes) of Northampton, MA; Susanne (Ed Puchalla) of Seattle, WA; Jennifer (Chris Crotty) of Pelham, NY; and Brian (Tracey) of Norwalk, CT.

Born in Queens, New York as the third of six children to the late Joseph and Mary Carey, Joanne developed her love of people, the “gift of gab," and a strong penchant for caretaking early in life. She built strong bonds with people and, fueled by her faith and a keen eye for pragmatism, she held firm to her convictions and relationships. Joanne attended Richmond Hill High School where she met Ken (Jamaica High School) as part of a group of friends who stayed in touch throughout their lives. These “high school sweethearts” married in 1963 in Queens and went on to build a beautiful life together first in Queens, then in Ringwood, New Jersey. They moved to Fairfield in 1978.

Joanne graduated from Queens Hospital Center School of Nursing and went on to work for 40 years as a RN. As an Emergency Room nurse, Joanne prided herself on knowing how to say “where is the pain?” in several languages, knew how to stay calm under pressure, and humanized every one of her patients. Her devotion to her career as a nurse was matched only by her devotion to her family. Whether attending a sports practice for her kids or grandkids, sewing Easter outfits, raising litters of puppies, offering wisdom or problem-solving over the phone, or shopping for just the right gift for birthdays, Easter, or Christmas, she put her heart into understanding and connecting with people. It was her superpower. Her generous, caring and charismatic personality made her a friend to many. She was truly “one of a kind.”

Joanne loved having a good laugh, was always up for a good party, and enjoyed exploring new places, near and far. In her later years, “Grandma Josie” cherished spending time with her family, especially her eight grandchildren: Delia, Marty, Roy, Louise, Emma, Will, Caitlin, and Griffin. Each one of them carries a piece of her heart with them along with some of her unique phrases and sayings. She will be missed dearly by those who loved her including her four living siblings and her many dear friends.