Gloria Frances (Gray) Eckard

Gloria Frances (Gray) Eckard

April 10, 1935 ~ September 7, 2024

Gloria Frances (Gray) Eckard, 89, of Roaring Spring, formerly of East Freedom, passed away Saturday evening, September 7, 2024, at her daughter’s residence surrounded by her loving family.

She was born at home in Hollidaysburg, daughter of the late Charles R. and Catherine (Turek) Gray. She married the love of her life, Clarence W. “PAP” Eckard on August 15, 1953, in Cumberland, MD. He preceded her in death on February 14, 2018, after 64 ½ years of marriage. A city girl who married a country boy.

Surviving are four children: Larry W. Eckard (Vicki) of Hanover, Barry L. Eckard (Sandy) of York, Luann F. Steele (Scott) of York, and Leann R. Rightnour (Mike) of East Freedom; nine grandchildren: Jason Malone (Marcy) of East Prospect, Kristy Miranda (Lex) of East Petersburg, Nicki Huggins (Ty) of Burlington, Canada, Nathan Steele of York, Chad Eckard of Mansfield, TX, Matthew Steele (Brooke) of York, Breanne Clark (Josh) of Roaring Spring, Kaitlyn Steele (Brad) of Red Lion, and Trent Rightnour of East Freedom; 18 great-grandchildren: Addy, Jake, Olyvia, Tehya, Aliza, Eila, Dre, Henry, Birdie, Natalie, Madalyn, Kendal, McKinlee, Isabelle, Lydia, Charlotte, Mia and Oaklee; one sister, Mary Lou Matthews of Duncansville; and numerous extended family members and friends that she loved.

She was preceded in death by an infant son, Randy Lee Eckard and three siblings: James “Jim” Gray, Helen “Sis” Campbell, and Charles “Pat” Gray.

Gloria was a 1953 graduate of Hollidaysburg High School. Gloria was a pattern folder at Butterick for many years. She was also a deli and bakery associate at Riverside Market.

She was a nondenominational Christian and was very faithful in her faith. She enjoyed reading her Bible. Her heavenly Father was very important to her, as was her earthly family. Gloria’s life was blessed with a wonderful family, as each one was special to her.

Gloria loved all the family get-togethers with ham pot pie and spending time with all of her grandchildren. She was blessed to help with her two grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Gloria also enjoyed spending time at the swimming pool, baking, cooking, reading, and sharing books with friends, especially her neighbor, Virginia "Grammy" Sell.

Friends will be received from 11 am until 1 pm, Tuesday, September 10, 2024, at John K. Bolger Funeral Home, Inc., Martinsburg, where a funeral will begin at 1 pm, Mr. Dan Helenek officiating. Interment will be held at Leamersville Riverview Cemetery, East Freedom.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to Cystic Fibrosis Foundation , 4550 Montgomery Avenue, Suite 1100, North Bethesda, MD 20814 or to Children’s Tumor Foundation (NF1) , P.O. Box 7247, Philadelphia, PA 19170.

" Life is like a vapor, it fades and dies away. The old must die and the young can die. "

Arrangements are by John K. Bolger Funeral Home Inc., 111 East Allegheny Street, Martinsburg, PA 16662.

Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
4550 Montgomery Ave. Suite 1100, North Bethesda MD 20814
Tel: 1-800-344-4823
Email: info@cff.org
Web: https://www.cff.org/donate

Children’s Tumor Foundation
P.O. Box 7247, Philadelphia PA 19170
Tel: 1-800-323-7938
Web: https://www.ctf.org/ways-to-give/