Mary Jo Eckstrom

Mary Jo Eckstrom, 76, of Sheffield passed away early Tuesday morning August 29, 2023, at UPMC Hamot in Erie following a brief illness.  She was born October 30, 1946, in Kane, PA, the daughter of Joseph Pastrick, Sr. and Doris (Nelson) Pastrick.  Mary Jo was a 1965 graduate of Sheffield High School and continued her education with an associate degree in business administration with her last employment being the Highland Group in Sheffield.  Mary Jo was a member of St. Anthony RC Church in Sheffield where she was an active volunteer with fundraising, especially the pierogi sale and the fish fries.  Some of her past times were knitting, crocheting, baking and especially cooking.  She was famous for her banana bread, banana bars, blonde brownies and scotcheroos.  Christmas was her favorite holiday, and she was an avid collector of Santa Clauses.  She was an active member of the Sheffield VFW Ladies Auxiliary.  She loved to sing and dance, especially in her younger years.  Mary Jo was the kindest, most loving person.  She would always make sure that everyone had plenty to eat.  When her children were growing up she always took care of the kids and was the block Mama, known as Mama Jo and she always made sure everyone had a full belly.

Left behind to cherish Mary Jo’s memory are her husband Kenneth Eckstrom at home; her son Emory Eckstrom and wife Miranda of Sheffield; her daughters, Joyce Johnson and husband Darrell of Florida, and Anne Jackson and husband Jeff of Illinois, and one granddaughter, Raegan Eckstrom.  She is also survived by her brother Tom Pastrick of Sheffield and a sister-in-law Christian Eckstrom and brother-in-law Raymond Eckstrom.  She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother, Joseph Pastrick, Jr., a sister-in-law, Linda Pastrick, one grandson Aidan Joseph Eckstrom, as well as several brothers and sisters in law.

Mary Jo’s family will welcome family and friends on Friday, September 1, 2023, from 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. at the Borden Funeral Home in Sheffield.  A mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, September 2, 2023, at 1:00 p.m. by Father Stephen Schreiber at St. Anthony’s R.C. Church, Route 6 in Sheffield.  (Everyone please meet at the church).  Burial will follow at the Gibbs Hill Cemetery in Ludlow, PA.  The family respectfully requests that memorial donation be sent to the family at P. O. Box 711, 30 Dunham St., Sheffield, PA 16347 to help cover expenses.  Everyone is invited to attend a luncheon following the service at the Wildcat Park Deforest Pavilion in Ludlow.

To leave an online condolence for Mary Jo Eckstrom, please visit www.bordenfuneralhome.com. 

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