Geraldine Gerry Eccli

Geraldine (Gerry) Eccli, devoted mother/grandma/friend, avid bridge player and theater-goer, and passionate beach lover died quietly in her sleep in Tega Cay, South Carolina, on October 7, 2022.

Gerry was welcomed into the world in Englewood, NJ, on August 10, 1935, the only child of her parents, Anthony Edward (Eddie) and Helen Toleno.  A beautiful little girl, with strawberry blonde hair and green eyes,  she grew up in a close-knit community of Italian and Irish family members, first in Leonia and then in Englewood, NJ.  Gerry excelled in her studies at Dwight Morrow High School and proudly led the band at football games as the head drum majorette.  She went on to receive her executive secretarial degree at Katharine Gibbs School in Manhattan, while also taking classes at Fairleigh Dickinson University.  After graduation, she spent several years working at large firms in NYC including Lever Brothers, Exxon, and Anchor Hocking.  She loved these years in New York, enjoying Broadway shows and visiting new restaurants with her friends.  She later settled in Princeton Junction, NJ, after marrying William (Bill) Eccli (deceased) an engineering designer of chemical plants for Mobil Oil.

Princeton Junction, NJ, is also where Gerry raised her three daughters.  Her “girls,” Debbie Eccli Appleby (Palmyra, VA), Karen Eccli Brownfield (Rock Hill, SC), and Dorene Eccli Martin (Fort Mill, SC), remember their mom as a woman with a quick-witted sense of humor, who was fashion savvy, generous to those in need, and a faithful caregiver to her daughters and her friends.  She was her girls’ cheerleader for school achievements, always encouraging them towards academic excellence and a successful career.  Gerry was thrilled to become a grandmother in 1991 and always loved visits from her seven grandchildren, Kathryne (Appleby) Tenney, Nate Appleby, Morgan (Brownfield) Whitmer, Jon Brownfield, Jr., Conor Marco, Cole Marco and Logan Marco.  Gerry was also proud to be the great-grandmother of three precious little ones – Alice and Patrick Whitmer (children of granddaughter Morgan and husband Caleb) and Reyes Tenney (son of granddaughter Kathryne and husband Alex).

When not caring for her family and friends, Gerry loved playing competitive bridge, cultivating her rose garden and participating in Bible studies and worshiping at Good Shepherd UMC.  She also worked as the Office Manager and later Assistant Administrator for West Windsor Township in NJ, receiving many accolades for her years of service.  After retirement from the Township, she moved to Four Seasons at Gold Hill in Fort Mill, SC, and cared for her mother in her home through Helen’s final years.  Gerry was also actively involved in the community during her years there, hosting duplicate bridge nights, enjoying card games at the clubhouse, and starting a singles group that is still serving the residents of this 55 and up community today.

During COVID, Gerry moved to Wellmore of Tega Cay. Her family would like thank the staff at Wellmore and at Hospice and Palliative Care Palmetto Region, who helped care for Gerry during her final days. At her request, her daughters and grandchildren will be interring her remains during a private family service in Saint Augustine, Florida, in January 2023.  In memory of Gerry, and in lieu of flowers, a donation may be made to one of her favorite charities: Children’s Attention Home of Rock Hill , SC.  Condolences can be sent to the family at The Eccli Family c/o Karen Brownfield, P.O. Box 37600, Rock Hill, SC, 29732.