Sister Marie Eckert (formerly Sr. Mary Benedicta), R.D.C., a longtime faculty member at Good Counsel College and Pace University, both in White Plains, died on August 16, 2006 at Good Counsel Convent in White Plains. She was 89. She served as a mathematics professor at Pace from 1976 until her retirement in 1992 when she became professor emeritus. She was the recipient of an Outstanding Teacher Award from the university in 1996. She earlier had taught at Good Counsel College, beginning in 1941, before it merged with Pace in 1976.
Through the years she served the Sisters of the Divine Compassion as assistant treasurer, juniorate director, general councilor and local superior of the Good Counsel community. Born in Union City, N.J., she entered the Sisters of the Divine Compassion in 1941 and made final vows in 1948. She was formerly known as Sister Mary Benedicta. Sister Marie received her bachelor's degree in mathematics from Good Counsel College in White Plains and a master's in mathematics from Columbia University. She held a licentiate in philosophy from The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. She also did graduate studies at many leading universities. Sister Marie is survived by her sister, Dorothy Eckert.
