One of Gasport's oldest and most-recognizable citizens - someone who was always there for the community - passed away on Thursday. Here's Sherrie-Bream Funeral Home's obituary about Elsie Eccher, who was 91....Elsie Harriet (nee Otto) Eccher, age 91, of Gasport, died on Thursday, August 28, 2008 at her home. Born September 12, 1916 in Gasport, she was the daughter of the late Howard and Jenny (nee Castle) Otto.
She graduated from Gasport High School in 1934 and from the Nursing School of the University of Rochester in 1938, where she worked for several years. She married William Eccher in 1940 and lived in Ferndale, Pennsylvania from 1945 until 1977, where she reared her two sons and helped with many nieces, nephews, and foster children. She had also worked for many years in the familyowned Jeep dealership as a bookkeeper and secretary. She generously donated her nursing skills to sick and injured friends and relatives, including helping some terminally ill people to stay at home. She volunteered in polio immunization and blood donation clinics.
Since 1978, Elsie lived with her sister, Loraine Otto, in the ancestral home in Gasport, with occasional visits to her grandsons in Maine. She was a lifelong member of the Gasport Covenant United Church of Christ singing in their choir, teaching Sunday school and contributing in many ways to the life of the church. She read books to children at the elementary school and was a member ofthe Gasport Historical Society.
She was predeceased by her parents and husband. She is survived by her sister, Loraine Otto, her son James Eccher, Esq., of Ferndale, PA and her son Dr. Stephen Eccher and his wife Cynthia of Waterville, ME. She leaves two grandsons: Dr. Matthew Eccher and his wife, Dr. Jenice Robinson of Hershey, PA, and Daniel Eccher and his wife Dr. Brigid Mullally of Oakland, ME, and two great-grandchildren: Jonathan and Meredith Eccher-Mullally.
Elsie was a kind, loving and generous person. She will be sadly missed by many friends and relatives and her devoted circle of care givers: Donna Rice, Larry Steimer, Terri Bedford, Susan Clute, Sharon Gibson, Bonnie Hanssen, and Geneva Johnson.
Family and friends are invited to the Sherrie-Bream Funeral Home, 4521 Main Street, Gasport for visitation on Friday from 6-8 pm. Funeral services will be held on Saturday at 11:00 am at the Covenant United Church of Christ, 4449 Gasport Road, Gasport with the Reverend Jackie Thompson officiating.
Interment will be in Ferndale, PA. Memorial donations may be made to the Covenant United Church of Christ or to Niagara Hospice would be appreciated. The family would also like to thank the staffs of Lockport Memorial Hospital and Odd Fellow and Rebekah Rehabilitation and Health Care Center, Inc., for their care.
