Eckstein, Imogene 'Jean' O'Brien

Imogene “Jean” O'Brien Eckstein of Iowa City died Oct. 11, 2012, at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Oct. 19, at St. Thomas More Catholic Church, 3000 12th Ave., Coralville, with the Rev. Walter Helms officiating. Visitation will be at the church one hour before the service. Burial will take place at St. Joseph Cemetery.

Jean was the daughter of Dr. William and Bernice Tumey O'Brien. She was a graduate of the College of St. Catherine, now St. Catherine University, in St. Paul, Minn. She married Dr. John Eckstein and moved to Iowa City, where she served St. Thomas More parish for 33 years as director and teacher of religious education. Active in local, diocesan and national laity groups, she was honored by Pope Paul VI with the Pro Ecclesia et Pontiface medal for her work in the Catholic Church.

Dr. Eckstein died Sept. 6, 2011. Together he and Jean were the parents of five children who honor their memory: John and his wife, Ledy Garcia, of Denver, Colo., Dr. Charles and his wife, Carolyn, of Nashville, Tenn., Dr. Ann Eckstein and her husband, Dr. Charles Wellman, of Willoughby Hills, Ohio, Thomas and his wife, Dr. Dionne Skeete, of Coralville and Steven and his wife, Susan, of South Barrington, Ill. Twelve grandchildren bring joy to the family: Elizabeth and her husband, Dr. Travis Clifton, of Clarksville, Tenn., Dr. Kathryn Eckstein Jalovec and her husband, Jeff, of Nashville, Andrew Eckstein and his wife, Laura, of Chicago, Rebecca McAvoy and her husband, Rich, of Raleigh, N.C., Matthew Wellman and his wife, Ariel, of Charlotte, N.C., Daniel Wellman of Chicago, Alex Eckstein of Washington, D.C., Cody Eckstein of New York City, N.Y., Brice and Pierce Eckstein of South Barrington, Ill., and Alana and Miles Eckstein of Coralville. Great-grandchildren are Lewis Jalovec of Nashville and Henry, George and Charles Clifton of Clarksville, Tenn.

Survivors also include a sister, Sister M. Damian O'Brien PBVM of Dubuque; a brother, Dr. W. John O'Brien of Manchester; two nieces, Dr. Mary Chris Schnieders-O'Brien and her husband, Gary, and their children, Emily, Eric and Christian, of Manchester and Lori Schaul and her husband, Rick, and their sons, Jay and Andrew, of Rockford, Ill.

Preceding Jean in death were her parents; husband; and sister-in-law, Irene O'Brien.

Condolences may be left for the family at .

Memorials may be directed to St. Thomas More Parish, 3000 12th Ave., Coralville, IA 52241 or Shelter House, P O Box 3146, Iowa City, IA 52244.

Arrangements are with Lensing Funeral & Cremation Service.

Published Oct. 14, 2012 in The Gazette