Mary Elizabeth Eckel Little

Mary Elizabeth "Eckel" Little, 85, of Richardson, TX passed away on September 19, 2015. Known for her wonderful smile, Mary was a loving wife, mother and devout Catholic and will be greatly missed by all who knew her. The youngest of six children, she was born in Washington, NJ on June 4, 1930 to Henry Wilmot and Marie Eckel. Following high school, she attended the College of St. Elizabeth in Convent Station, NJ, graduating in 1952 with a BA in Biology. She then began her career in pharmaceutical research in Nutley, NJ. In 1955, Mary moved to Dallas, TX and worked at UT Southwestern in laboratory research. The same year, she met and married Bob Little. They moved to Richardson in 1958 where Mary was a homemaker and raised five children. The family joined St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church in 1958, where Mary remained a devoted parishioner for the past 57 years. In previous years, Mary volunteered at St. Paul's school, was member of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul and also volunteered for Meals on Wheels.

Mary was preceded in death by Bob Little, her husband of 56 years. She is survived by her five children and their spouses: Patricia Little Kishpaugh of Plano; Robert J. Little, Jr. of Mustang, OK; Mary Ann Little McGregor of Austin; Margaret Little Haerr of Plano; and Nancy Little Carter of Fort Worth; 10 grandchildren: Joey Kishpaugh; Jake, Adam, Michael and Molly McGregor; Kathryn and Chris Haerr; Caroline, Libby and Meg Carter; plus numerous nieces and nephews. Mary was preceded in death by her parents; her sister Pauline Eckel Cook; and brothers Bill, Henry, John and Dan Eckel.

A Rosary will be held on Friday, September 25 at 7:30 p.m. followed by visitation until 9 p.m. at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church in Richardson. Mass of Christian Burial will be on Saturday, September 26 at 11 a.m. at St. Paul's followed by a reception then burial at Calvary Hill Cemetery in Dallas. In lieu of flowers, a memorial donation may be made in Mary's name to the St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church chapter of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul.

Arrangements under the direction of Sparkman Richardson Funeral Home.