Frances C. Eckstein passed away peacefully, surrounded by loved ones at home on March 22, 2023, shortly after her 97th birthday party, at which she immensely enjoyed bratwurst, birthday cake and the company of her family.

Fran was born on March 9, 1926 in Berlin, Germany, towards the end of her family's two-year journey across Europe, on their way to the United States. Her parents, Michael and Katarina (Bihn) Lang, were Volga Germans who had escaped Russia in the aftermath of the Russian Revolution. The family immigrated to Chicago, where years later she married Herman Eckstein, whom she had known since elementary school at St. Alphonsus' parish, on October 15, 1949; they treasured 68 years together on this earth until his death in 2017.

Fran's greatest love and devotion were to her family and children in general. She was an artist who created primarily in watercolors, as well as needlework. Fran had a deep faith and was active in her church communities throughout the family's four moves across the Midwest (finally settling in Cincinnati in 1970), as she supported and contributed to Herman's successful career growth. She delighted in baking, gardening and playing word and card games, especially with her grandchildren.

Fran's immense kindness, love, generosity, patience, and irrepressible optimism will be remembered and dearly missed by family and friends.

She is survived by her children Michael H. Eckstein (Jane), Marcia Eckstein (William Smith), Martin Eckstein (Carol Bernstein Eckstein), Joseph Eckstein (Terri), John Eckstein (Judy Sheerer Eckstein), and James Eckstein (Tammy), her grandchildren Rachel Simons (Jeremy), Michael A. (Christina), Tess Eckhoff (Ben), Neal (Britney Hashemi Eckstein), Nathan, Lillian, Sarah, Katherine Ramser (Kyle), Jennifer (Tom Scupp), Benjamin, Daniel, Ethan, Claire (Jacob Godsey), August, Gabriel, Joseph, and Samuel, and her great-grandchildren Stella, Blake, Walker, Averie, Michael O., Emma, Charli, Cameron, Rosie, and Atli.  Her sister and brother-in-law, Ann and Jim Hoffmann, also survive her.

Visitation is Tuesday, March 28, 2023 from 4-8 p.m. at Gilligan Funeral Homes at 8225 Montgomery Rd. in Kenwood. Funeral Mass will be held on Wednesday, March 29, 2023 at 10:30 a.m. at All Saints Catholic Church 8939 Montgomery Rd.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Herman and Frances Eckstein Family Fund at the Cincinnati Nature Center ( https://www.cincynature.org/ ), the Epilepsy Foundation ( https://www.epilepsy.com ), or UNICEF Ukraine ( unicef.org ).

Cincinnati Nature Center
Tel: 1-513-831-1711
Web: https://www.cincynature.org/

The Epilepsy Foundation
3540 Crain Highway, Suite 675, Bowie MD 20716
Web: https://www.epilepsy.com/

UNICEF
125 Maiden Lane, New York, NY 10038, New York NY 10038
Tel: 1-800-367-5437
Web: https://www.unicef.org/