In Memoriam

Marilyn A. Eckert, M.D.
May 10, 1926 - October 4, 2009

Marilyn A. Eckert, M.D., served as a tireless advocate for the poor throughout her career as a family doctor in West Virginia. She retired at age 72 and later moved to northern Virginia in 2000 where she pursued her interests in the arts and participated actively in St. David's Episcopal Church, the Ashburn Classics and OLLI.

Born on May 10, 1926 to T.L. "Ted" and Mae Harriet (Erickson) Anderson in St. Paul, Minnesota, Marilyn excelled in school and became an accomplished pianist, giving solo recitals during high school. She lived at home and attended the University of Minnesota. Working in a "dime store", she earned money to help put herself through the University of Minnesota Medical School during World War II.
She was one of six female doctors in her graduating class.

Marilyn worked in private practice as an obstetrician delivering babies after she received her medical degree. At that time, the entire prenatal care, delivery, and post-delivery check-ups were covered by one payment of $100.00 in total. She followed her husband, Bruce W. Jarvis, also a physician, to Morgantown, WV in 1963. There she joined the faculty at the School of Medicine at West Virginia University, teaching preventive medicine for many years. She was divorced in 1965. Marilyn also worked in the War on Poverty through the W.V.U. Extension Service, teaching nutrition and health education to low-income families in remote sites in West Virginia. Later in her career she became a Diplomat of the American Academy of Family Physicians and worked as a family doctor in Blacksville, W.V. At times she received zuccini or tomatoes in payment for her medical services. Marilyn also worked at the Center on Aging at W.V.U., developing programs to serve the elderly.

Marilyn married Herbert L. Eckert, M.D., in 1967 and was widowed in 1978.

After retiring, Marilyn lived in San Antonio, Texas, where she was active at Cocker United Methodist Church. Relocating to Ashburn in 2000, Marilyn participated in the Ashburn Classics, serving as secretary and then as president until the time of her death. She taught classes in Tai Chi and led a New Yorker magazine discussion group at the George Mason University "OLLI" lifelong learning center. She was an active member of St. David's Episcopal Church, and spearheaded the work to set up regular food donations through Loudoun Interfaith Relief to feed the poor in Loudoun County. As a volunteer for Inova Loudoun Hospital Chaplaincy program, Marilyn served more than 400 hours, calling on the sick and families with new babies.

Throughout her life Marilyn was a voracious reader and patron of the arts. She participated in a book club in Morgantown, WV for over 30 years. Once living in Ashburn, she attended two book clubs, one at the Ashburn Library and one at the Cascades Senior Center. She read the Washington Post and completed its crossword puzzle daily.

Marilyn enjoyed traveling throughout her retirement to the Spoletto Festival and Kiawah Island, Charleston, SC, to Williamsburg, VA, and to visit family and friends in Colorado and Wisconsin. Her travel abroad included trips to Australia, Canada, China, the Czech Republic, England, Figi, France, Germany, Italy, Kenya, the Netherlands, Russia, Scotland, Tibet and Tanzania. In June 2009 she visited Provence and Monet's gardens at Giverny. An avid hiker, bird watcher and botonist, Marilyn completed a three-mile hike over rugged terrain last fall at Snowshoe, WV.

As an only child, Marilyn kept up with her Anderson cousins in Minnesota, who have all predeceased her. Ruth Williams of Seattle said "Marilyn was by far the most accomplished and adventurous of the cousins."

Marilyn was an excellent chef and homemaker. During the 1970s in Morgantown, WV, she often opened her home to visitors from abroad, including visiting scholars from France, Italy, Poland and East Germany. In a town that boasted 17 pizza parlors for college students, one local was asked where to get a good meal. "I go to my friend Marilyn's house for the best food in town," was the answer.

In retirement, Marilyn continued her philanthropy, regularly donating to causes she supported throughout her life, including Oxfam, Medecins sans Frontieres, Planned Parenthood, the West Virginia University Medical School Foundation, the University of Minnesota Medical School, Loudoun Interfaith Relief and Mothers Against Drunk Driving. She was a founding member of the Museum of Women and the Arts in Washington, D.C. She enjoyed attending the Washington Ballet, the Virginia Opera, and symphony performances at Strathmore. She supported the Loudoun Symphony, the George Mason Center for the Fine Arts and the Mastersingers of Virginia.

Marilyn was diagnosed with inoperable metastatic cancer in July 2009. She spent her last three months in her home in Ashburn receiving regular phone calls and email messages from friends and family. She displayed the cards sent by friends and had over 175 decorating her stairway.

Marilyn is survived by four children and six grandchildren. The children are Dr. Bruce W. Jarvis, III, of St. Paul, Minnesota; Peggy Jarvis Ferrin of Oak Hill, VA; Emilie Eckert of Lake Oswego, OR; and Mark Eckert of Richmond, VA. The grandchildren are: Alan Eckert of San Francisco; Bridget and Jonathan Eckert of Richmond; Sara Eckert of Lake Oswego; Ian and Colin Jarvis of St. Paul, and Ted Ferrin of Oak Hill. Her cousin Richard Sellevold lives in Edmond, WA. Her memorial service is scheduled for 2 p.m., November 7 at St. David's Episcopal Church, 43600 Russell Branch Parkway, Ashburn, VA. In lieu of flowers the family is asking that contributions be made to the church in support of her work with the poor in Loudoun County.