Mount Vernon — Catharine Sexton Eckhof died June 24, 2012 with family by her side. Born in Utica, N.Y., in 1933, she was the daughter of the late Mason and Catherine (Douglas) Sexton and sister of the late Mason Douglas Sexton.
She graduated Middlebury College before marrying the late William Reed Eckhof, to whom she was a wife for 50 years. She lived with her family in Loudonville, N.Y., then moved to Alexandria, where she lived for 37 years.
She worked at the Smithsonian and volunteered at Huntley Meadows Park. Mother to Cassandra Eckhof (Garrett) of Waltham, Mass., Pamela Atwell of Gainesville, Fla., and Leslie Aitcheson (Stephen) of Alexandria. Grandmother of four, great-grandmother of two, and aunt of two.
Graveside burial to be held June 30 in Fly Creek, N.Y. In honor of Catharine’s love of wildlife, the family suggests, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Friends of Huntley Meadows Park, 3701 Lockheed Blvd., Alexandria, VA 22306. Her wit and love will be greatly missed.