Julie Eckstein

Julie M. Eckstein, 75 of Inverness, FL died on Sunday, January 8, 2017 at Hospice of Citrus and the Nature Coast House, in Lecanto, in the loving care of her family. Julie was born August 7, 1941, in Anderson, IN. She is the third child of William and Helen Higi.  Julie married Robert (Bob) Eckstein on October 28, 1961. They moved to Largo, FL in September, 1962. They then moved to Inverness, FL in 1976 with their 7 children, three boys first, then four girls. After devoting her life to caring for the children, starting in 1996, she began as a part-time employee at Brannen Bank in Inverness, retiring in 2008 as an Officer and Head Bookkeeper of all Brannen Banks.

She leaves behind her husband Bob, and seven children, Jeffrey (Jeff), Timothy (Tim), Joseph (Joe), Deborah (Debbie), Pamela (Pam), Barbara (Barbie), Rebecca (Becky), 26 grandchildren (in order) Holly, Geoffrey, Hillary, Todd, Ryan, Sarah, Tyler, Jordyn, Cody, Anna, Megan, Austin, Luke, Haven, Justin, Garrett, Adrienne, Mary Grace, Matthew, Adam, Carly, Roman, Benedict, Josephine, Eva, Raissa, one great granddaughter,  Addilyn, one brother, (ret) Bishop William Higi (5 ^th Bishop of the Diocese of Lafayette, IN), and sister Linda (Ed) Ronchelli.

Julie and Bob are 40+ years members of Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church.  In her leisure time, Julie enjoyed walking, listening, laughing, being with her family, and playing golf, in which she won 3 Club Championships. Julie touched the lives of many people with her smile and comforting demeanor, and maintained her trademark sense of humor all the way to the end.

The family will receive friends from 5:00-7:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 15, 2017 at Heinz Funeral Home.  Open Rosary to follow. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 2:00 p.m., January 16, 2017 at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church. Mass will be co-celebrated by her brother, (Ret) Wm. Leo Higi and Pastor Tim Cummings.  Burial will follow at Oak Ridge Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the wonderful people at the Hospice of Citrus and the Nature Coast, 3350 W Audubon Park Path, Lecanto, FL 34461. www.Hospiceofcitrus.org Heinz Funeral Home & Cremation, Inverness, FL, www.Heinzfh.com