Sheila Eckmann

Sheila Eckmann, (nee McKeon), passed away on Wednesday, June 5, 2024. She was 95 years old. Sheila was born at Molly, Aughnacliffe, County Longford, Ireland on June 26, 1928. She came to the United States in 1950, as a 22 year old. Though born in Ireland, and returning often for visits, Sheila was an incredibly proud American and hung the flag outside every morning.
Upon arrival in America, Sheila was an au pair, and after that she secured a job working for Bell Telephone in NYC, followed by various administrative positions.
In 1953, Sheila met the love of her life, Arthur Eckmann. They were married on November 27, 1954 at Our Lady of Good Council Church in Manhattan. They moved to Ridgefield Park in 1956, and lived there until 1992.
Upon retiring, Sheila and Arthur left Ridgefield Park and enjoyed being snowbirds, with homes in Tobyhanna, PA and Oviedo FL.
Sheila was a member of the St. Francis School Mother's Guild, and was the original secretary for The Bergen Irish Association, at its founding in 1964.
A bowler for countless years, Sheila loved the sport and continued to bowl into her 90s. She enjoyed watching PBA tournaments on television. She also loved watching the Yankees, and attended an occasional game at The Stadium. On her 89th birthday she enjoyed lunch with her favorite player, Mariano Rivera.
Sheila was an amazing seamstress, and crossword puzzles were a favorite pastime.
She was way ahead of the times when it came to health and nutrition, which led to her long, healthy life. She was a proponent of vitamin supplements, wheat germ, whole wheat bread and yogurt in the 1950s, taking nutritional advice from health guru and radio host Dr. Carlton Fredericks.
Sheila is pre-deceased by her husband Arthur, her parents Mary Jo and Andrew McKeon, her brothers John, Paddy and Michael (Rodgers), and sisters Ellie and Mary Jo. Sheila is survived by her children, Andrew, Mary, Paul and Veronica, as well as her furbaby cat Lily. She also leaves behind her sisters, Violet McGauran, Kathleen Amendola and Teresa McNamee, as well as her grandchildren, Austin, Jesslyn and Kelsea Scarlett, Sean Eckmann, and Liam Gill; not to mention many cousins and a number of nieces and nephews.
Sheila's family will miss her sly, wry, and dry wit. Whenever anyone left her home, she'd tell them, "Drive carefully, the life you save may be your own, and watch out for the fuzz!"
With Sheila's arrival, Heaven is a better, even more perfect place than it was. Her kind heart and gentle spirit will be deeply missed.