Condolence: As I have said, I had no idea the effect Mrs. Ecker had on my life until after she passed. Any casual observer of my life could see it, but not me.

In my sophomore year at Washington, I tried unsuccessfully to get into Dr. McMann's third-hour philosophy class. Mrs. Ecker, who knew my mom as a teacher at Wash and coached my sister in cheerleading, suggested that I take her first-hour journalism class by tape. So great was her love and concern for journalism that she offered it every period, to anyone. So I took it, by Walkman, with a girl who is an important friend to this day.

From there, Mrs. Ecker kept pushing me. The next year, I became arts/entertainment editor. She always encouraged me to do interesting stories and gave me freedom to pursue the ones that I wanted. The year after that I was news editor and editor in chief, even though I had pushed hard to be co-editor. She had a way of seeing more from me than I saw from myself. As I was getting ready to go to Northwestern to study journalism, she told me I'd be the editor of the paper there. “Who else would it be?” she said. Well, I didn't make that. In fact, I nearly got kicked out of school for bad grades. But I'm still in newspapers 20 years later. I can absolutely say that I am the editor I am because of her. I still have the friendships I made at the Surveyor and on Academic Decathlon.

I'm sorry I never got a chance to tell her that. But I think she, like everyone else besides me, knew.

To her family: I am so sorry for your loss. I only ever knew her as a teacher, even though she talked all the time about her children and their children. I was so fortunate to have had her those 2 odd years; you are dealing with losing a wonderful mother, grandmother, sister, friend. My thoughts are with you.

Judy, Class of 1993

Condolence: My dear Mrs. Ecker. I just spoke of her TODAY as I discribed to a friend how she would have been very wealthy from teaching me and discovering ADHD. She was my very favorite teacher and I am very sad. God bless you children.

Condolence: OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH FRANK AND JUDY'S FAMILY,

Condolence: Mrs. Ecker will always be remembered as one of my most inspirational teachers. She has still not managed to get me to read and really enjoy poetry but I always think of her if I do. I am happy to have seen her at our 50th EHS reunion as I am sure are my classmates. I extend my sympathies to her family and want you to know what a special person and teacher she was.
David Olson EHS '61

Condolence: Ms. Ecker was one of my all-time favorite teachers. She is a perpetual influence in my life. I am a better teacher and a better man because I knew her.

Condolence: Judy was a friend at Atherton High School, and an impressive personality even then. I am saddened to hear of her death and impressed at the positive impact she had on so many lives. Her legacy will live on in her students.

Condolence: Judy was a friend at Atherton High School and an impressive personality even then. I am saddened to hear of her death and impressed at the positive impact she had on so many lives. Her legacy will live on in her students.

Condolence: Ecker Family,

Please accept my deepest sympathy on the passing of Judy. Affectionately known as "Mrs. Ecker" to her students, she was an amazing teacher who trained you to double and triple check your work before submitting any copy for the Surveyor School Paper. Judy demanded excellence but had more confidence in me than I had in myself. What a gift she was to so many students. Unfortunately most students don't realize the impact a teacher has on their life until they become adults. She was a true professional and a credit to teaching.

It has been a very tough few months for your family. I pray for peace and strength during this difficult time.

Sincerely,

Steve Marshall

Condolence: I didn't know Judy, but Frank Boone was one of my husband's classmates at Anchorage and Eastern High School. My thought and prayers are with Frank and thier families.

Betsy Leathers Peak

Condolence: August 23, 2012

We were sad to learn of your mother's passing.Both of our children took her journalism class,and both drew cartoons for the Surveyor.Mike was also on the Academic Decathlon team.We remember the long nights she put in getting the paper out. Sometimes he tested her nerves getting his cartoons in on time. She was a teacher who demanded her students to do their best and beyond, but she truly cared for them.Mrs. Ecker will always be remembered with us.

Larry and May Stock-Cedar Rapids, Iowa