Rosemarie Eckenrode

YOUNGSTOWN - Rosemarie Ingram Eckenrode, 97, passed away peacefully in her sleep on Sunday, August 16, 2026.

She was born March 23, 1929, in Youngstown, Ohio, the youngest of five children born to John and Mary (Gull) Ingram.

Rosemarie was a very proud 1947 graduate of THE Rayen High School. Following high school, she worked for fifteen years as an office manager for several local doctors. It was during those years that she vacationed with friends at Bedford Springs Resort and met her future husband, Donald Lee Eckenrode. She and Don were married on June 16th, 1956, had one daughter together and shared almost 46 years of marriage until his passing on May 23, 2002.

After having her daughter, she became a happy stay-at-home mom who was always willing to volunteer whenever and wherever needed - including helping family during moves and at garage sales. She served as an election poll worker for many years, and her favorite hobby was playing golf, which she did until her late 80's. She belonged to Leffingwell Country Club and later played in a league at Valley Golf Club where she had a hole-in-one!

Rosemarie was a member of Boardman United Methodist Church since 1969. She enjoyed serving on many committees, and she co-chaired their Trash-n-Treasure event for many years.

She was a true friend throughout her life and maintained close friendships for more than 80 years with friends in a club they named "The Blue Jays." She was an avid social planner and was happiest when hosting events like card nights, dinner parties and holiday celebrations. She also loved to travel and no matter whether it was a trip across the globe, in the U.S., or on a bus to a casino, she was always up for an adventure.

Rosemarie lived her life to its fullest and believed in finding the good in everyone, which is why her nickname was, "the Mayor of Pleasantville." She left a lasting, positive impression on people she met because of her kindness, love, grace, optimism, and true acceptance of differences.

Rosemarie will be deeply missed and forever cherished by her daughter, Susan (Mark) Stricklin; grandson, Matthew Loney (Jennifer Love); step-granddaughter, Nicole (Steve) Cover; step-great-granddaughters, Madeline Cover and Claire Cover; and many nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.

In addition to her parents and her husband, Rosemarie was surely welcomed into heaven by her four siblings: Jane Winters, Julia Nellis, Helen Siembieda and Atty. John G. Ingram, and many other special family members and friends.

A huge thank you to the amazing teams at The Inn at Walker Mill Assisted Living and Ohio Living Hospice for their compassionate care in making sure Rosemarie's last chapter in life was a very happy and content one. When someone would ask her if she liked living at the Inn at Walker Mill, she'd always reply, "No, I love it!"

It was Rosemarie's unwavering love for life that made her such a positive role model to many -and what will keep her in our fondest memories for years to come.

A celebration of life is going to be planned for a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made in Rosemarie's name to Potential Development School for Students with Autism at www.PotentialDevelopment.org.

Professional arrangements were entrusted to Higgins-Reardon Funeral Homes, Boardman-Canfield Chapel.

Family and friends may view obituaries and send condolences, visit www.higgins-reardon.com