Katherine Eccleston

After a long and fulfilling life, Katherine (Kathy) Fitzgerald Eccleston died on May 13, 2026, in Morehead City North Carolina. She was born in 1932 in Washington D.C. to Elsie and Ernest Robinson. Faith, family and friends gave meaning and brought joy to her life. After completing her nursing degree, she married Joseph C. Fitzgerald in 1955 and together with their six children lived most of her life in the Salisbury MD area.

After the death of her first husband, Kathy worked as an assistant teacher at the Salisbury School in a preschool classroom. She loved being with little people - reading to them and engaging their curious minds. She had a natural proclivity for this work since she was gifted with the patience of Job and the desire to help children learn. Katherine married Harold N. Eccleston in 1986, and together they grew Christmas trees in Parsonsburg. Kathy always said she felt so lucky to be married to and loved by not just one man, but to have a second husband who also loved her deeply. The Christmas season was a highlight of the year for Katherine as well as all of her children, and especially her grandchildren. She loved handing out candy canes and hot chocolate as she caught up with returning customers year after year.

Katherine will be remembered for her strong Christian faith, love of family and friends of all ages near and far. She was kind, a quiet “do-er” who was always willing to help a neighbor or a friend. She will be remembered for her many sayings, her willingness to embrace adventures in Alaska or wherever life’s explorations took her. She was independent, capable and strong. Until her late 80s she was still cutting her own grass, putting the mower up on ramps to clean the blades after each cutting so the blades would not get rusty. She loved spending time in Alaska and Montana with her children and families. She was blessed by friendships that crossed generations and miles.

Kathy loved her family deeply and will be missed by all who loved her in return. Her legacy lives on through the numerous lives she touched - both family and friends who became family. She is survived by her six children- Karen Vaughan (Steve) of Maryland, Joe Fitzgerald (Debra) of Alaska, Jane Heebner (Edward) of New Jersey, Robert Fitzgerald (Melissa) of California, Paul Fitzgerald (Susan) from North Carolina, Tom Fitzgerald of Montana as well as, Karen (Mark) Eccleston Hayes, Steve Eccleston, and David (Katie) Eccleston, in addition to 16 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. Her Swiss AFS “son”, Alan Kocher, has been a faithful member of her family since the year he spent in Salisbury in 1975-76. He never forgets her birthday or Mother’s Day. Truly she made an impact on people worldwide.

The family invites you to join us for a Service of Remembrance on Saturday, August 15th. The service will be held at 10:00 AM at Bethany Lutheran Church, 817 Camden Ave, Salisbury Maryland. Family will receive visitors at the church from 9:00 - 10:00 AM. Interment will be private. To honor Katherine's legacy of caring for others and in appreciation for the support and care she received, the family welcomes donations in her name to Bethany Lutheran Church, 817 Camden Ave., Salisbury, MD 21801 or to Gentiva Hospice, P.O. Box 425 Swansboro, NC, 28584.

Arrangements by Noe-Brooks Funeral Home & Crematory of Morehead City, NC.