Anne Marie Eckley

Bentonville, Arkansas

Anne Marie Eckley, 71, passed away peacefully with her family by her side on Sunday, March 17, 2024, in Bentonville, Arkansas. She was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and friend who will be deeply missed by all who knew her.

Anne was born on August 22, 1952, in Wabash, Indiana, daughter of the late John and Jean Brainard. She attended Northfield High School. Anne was a devoted mother to her two children, Angie Heidingsfield and John Heidingsfield. She was blessed to be “Nana Anne” to seven grandchildren and two great-granddaughters who she spoiled and loved tremendously: Emily (Matt) Shugars, Tanner Willbern, Brendan Willbern, Colby Willbern, Carson Willbern, Rylan Willbern, Yasmine Heidingsfield, Belle Shugars and Avery Shugars.

Later in life she became a flight attendant for Pinnacle Airlines, where she made numerous friends and met her treasured husband, Vernon Eckley. Anne and Vern married in 2007 and enjoyed traveling, spending time with friends and family at their home in Bella Vista, Arkansas, and loving on their fur-babies, Riley & Sami.

Anne was a vibrant, kind, and generous woman who had a passion and beautiful gift for crafting and quilting. She was an excellent cook, host and life of the party who never met a stranger and had a wonderful sense of humor. Throughout her life Anne always had a special place in her heart for rescuing dogs and giving them a loving home.

The loving memory of Anne will be forever cherished by her brothers, Mike (Ma Fe) Brainard, Tom (Sue) Brainard, husband, Vernon Eckley, children, Angie Heidingsfield and John Heidingsfield, seven grandchildren, two great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. Anne is preceded in death by her beloved parents, John and Jean Brainard, and brothers, John Brainard and Bill Brainard.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, April 20th, at 10:30 a.m. at Christ United Methodist Church (477 North Wabash Street, Wabash, IN 46992). An additional memorial service will be held in Arkansas and details will be shared at a later date. To honor Anne’s memory, the family asks that you show and tell the special people in your life how much you love them. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to The Humane Society or your local women’s shelter, two causes that Anne was passionate about