Katharine Christian Eckman

Katharine was a 21 year old Hamilton College senior when she was diagnosed with acute leukemia in late September, 2008. On October 17, Katharine died after a short but brave battle.

The daughter of Richard and Susan May Eckman of Chadds Ford, PA, where she grew up, Casey, as she was known by family and friends, graduated from Unionville High School in Kennett Square, PA in 2005 and attended Hamilton College in Clinton, New York, where she was on the Dean's List. She was to complete her senior year this May, and graduate with a degree in Psychology and a minor in English.

While in high school, Katharine was enthusiastically involved in the music program and was editor in chief of the Indian Post newspaper. In college, she was involved in a number of campus organizations, including the Hamilton Ski Team and HAVOC, the campus service organization. She was also elected to serve on the Hamilton judiciary board.

Katharine was a dedicated volunteer with the Clinton Animal Shelter, and an avid competitor in the Hamilton College Trivia Night.

Katharine enjoyed accompanying herself on the piano and she sang solos numerous times at Westminster Church including Christmas 2007 with her sisters.

She loved politics and in the Fall of 2007, she worked for Delaware Congressman Mike Castle as part of Hamilton's Semester in Washington program. She spent Summer 2008 in London, studying European politics at Middlesex University. She was very proud to be a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution.

Katharine's family include her older sister Elizabeth, her younger sisters, Susannah and Louisa, her brother-in-law, Peter Dawson, and a large extended family of aunts, uncles, and cousins.

She is remembered by her family as a young woman with an enormous heart, great compassion for others, and a zest for life and learning. She loved bringing joy to people's lives, making people laugh with her keen wit, and was a devoted friend of animals, including her beloved cat Angus.

To read about her journey with leukemia, please visit her Carepage: http://www.carepages.com/carepages/KatharineEckman.