Sister Henrice Eckert, SSND
June 23, 1923 – December 9, 2025
Catherine Viola Eckert’s life began on the ice on June 23, 1923. When her mother, Florence Buehler, was ready to give birth, her father, Henry Marcus, was at work. Plucky Florence hailed the friendly ice man, and he drove her to St. Catherine’s Hospital in Brooklyn. Her parents named her Catherine after the hospital. Catherine’s brother Henry was born eighteen months later.
Catherine attended Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal Parish School in Ridgewood, New Jersey, where the Notre Dame de Namur sisters were her teachers. With ninety other second graders, Catherine received her first communion at the parish church. Bishop Molloy administered confirmation when she was an eighth grader. She credits a talk by Sacred Heart Brother George for planting the seeds of her vocation, stemming from his talk about religious life to the seventh graders. However, Catherine’s heart was set on nursing. After graduation, she began high school at Grover Cleveland High.
Two months into freshman year, a family friend’s daughter visited. She expounded about the “Juniorate” in Fort Lee, New Jersey, where she was a student. Catherine soon transferred there, and as the Holy Spirit would have it, the friend left two weeks later. Catherine fell in love with Jesus, the aura of the place, and she looked forward to entering religious life.
Hers was the first graduating class from the Aspiranture. She received the bonnet at St. Matthias Chapel on August 28, 1941. During the two years in the Candidature, she attended Normal School to prepare for a teaching career. At reception on July 8, 1943, Catherine entered the novitiate and received the name Mary Henrice. First Vows were professed a year later, on July 31st. Six years later, Henrice made her Final Commitment.
Henrice’s first missions were to Holy Family in Rochester, New York; St. Theresa in Washington D.C.; and St. Benedict in Baltimore, Maryland. In 1949, she moved north to St John, Leonia, N.J. During the ten years in New Jersey, Henrice attended Seton Hall University, where she attained a bachelor’s degree in English and pursued a master’s in psychology. At St. Brigid in Westbury, New York, Henrice found herself in one of the largest Catholic Elementary Schools in the area. For 26 years, she taught science and was a guidance counselor in two high schools: St. Joseph in Trumbull, Connecticut, and Holy Angels Academy (H.A.). One time, she was stationed with four newly professed who needed encouragement at a difficult time in community. Thus, while doing the dishes, she would begin to intone, “When you walk through a storm….” Soon, everyone smilingly joined in.
Henrice’s career at H. A. began as the academy was in the midst of a move from Fort Lee to Demarest, New Jersey. She and other SSND’s organized and packed everything that had to be moved. Before the sisters moved into their new residence, the Parents’ Guild painted and decorated each sister’s bedroom. Her motto was, “It doesn’t matter who gets the credit, as long as the work gets done.”
Eventually, Henrice returned to elementary school. During her time at Holy Angels, Henrice and Carole Tabano had moved to an apartment in Upper Saddle River, NJ, and became active members of Our Lady of Presentation Parish. In 1992, she was named Vice/Principal/ Counselor at Holy Family Interprovincial School. Later, for ten years, Henrice became a volunteer at Montclair State College, and in 2022, she retired.
Just before her 100th birthday, Henrice spent time in the hospital and rehab. Her faithful students, former colleagues, parish friends, and SSNDs attended a party that her dear friend Carole Tabano organized as a surprise. Henrice was never well enough to leave Family of Caring Home. During the next two years, S. Carole visited her each day, and when she couldn’t be there, other friends came. In her gracious way, Henrice was constantly thanking the staff. Her compassion for those who served was her way of finding something beautiful in everyone. When her time on earth was about to end, all the staff joined Carole in her room and prayed together. On December 9th, Henrice gently transitioned to the fullness of Life.
The Mass of Resurrection was celebrated at Our Lady of Presentation in Upper Saddle River, NJ, by Fr. Richard Francisco with Fr. Jerry Hahn co-celebrating. Nieces and nephews of the Eckert Family participated in the liturgy: Henry III and H. A. Alum Jan Holder lectured while Henry Jr. did the Intercession. Steven, Janet, and Spencer carried the Offertory Gifts, and Sister Carole Tabano offered a tender eulogy. Sister Paula Dukehart represented the SSND Council. Unfortunately, major traffic delays allowed other sisters to arrive only in time for the reception. Henrice’s cremains were buried at Madonna Cemetery in Fort Lee, N.J.
By Cathy Feeney, SSND
