by 
Mary Louise Eck with the photos of her family. She celebrates her 90th birthday.
Did you know Pioneer Days used to be held where Norm’s IGA currently stands? Or that the town basically used to end after Ace Hardware Store? Mary Louise Eck knows, because she was there. Soon-to-be 90 years old, Eck has lived in Kearny for over 50 years and is very much a part of Kearny history. With four children and three sets of twins for grandchildren, Eck started a legacy that will not be soon forgotten.
Eck was born In West Virginia, but grew up in Oregon, IL. After graduating from high school, she moved to Pennsylvania to attend college, and that was where she met her husband, Bob. Eck spent 14 years in Pennsylvania before attempting to make the cross-country trek to Tucson in 1959.
“We moved with 3 kids, 2 cars, and 1 cat,” Eck laughed.
In Tucson, the Ecks owned a small fast food place. However, Tucson left them unsatisfied, so when a friend told them about the newly developing Kearny, they decided to move once again. “We wanted to find a place to raise our kids,” Eck said. Kearny was that place.
In 1961, the Ecks moved to Kearny and opened Bob’s Drive-In, located where the Kearny Veterinary Clinic currently stands. At that time they were only fast food place, famous around town for their freshly-made pizza and hand-dipped onion rings. They even served donuts and other breakfast items in the morning. Everything was made in-house and fresh by this family team. Working seven days a week, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., at Bob’s Drive-In was hard on her, but she did the best she could. Having four kids in various sports and activities at Ray meant a lot of after-school commitments. “I tried to go to all of their activities, but I was very busy. I made sure at least one family member was there to watch them, if I couldn’t go,” Eck shared. It was for this reason Bob’s Drive-In started closing on Sundays. Eck knew that she needed to spend time with her kids.
It was 25 years later, after her retirement from Bob’s Drive-In, that Eck become a force to be reckoned with in Kearny. After the hospital shut down, Eck helped create the Copper Area Health Volunteers, who were instrumental in getting the Kearny Clinic up and running. She also helped set up the Hand Me Up Shop. After getting an Associate’s Degree from Aravaipa Community College and getting certified in Early Childhood Education, Eck even served as the Town Librarian for 14 years and remembers the transition from hand-stamping the books to the computerized check-out system. As if that isn’t enough, Eck volunteered to proof-read the Copper Basin News and helped establish the Lutheran Church. Her husband, Bob, before passing away in 1995, helped set up the Moose Lodge and became a charter member.
And if that’s not enough, Eck was named the 1992 Citizen of the Year by the Copper Basin Chamber of Commerce.
“I watched the town grow,” said Eck. However, it would be more accurate to say she and her family helped the town grow. Without realizing it, the Ecks became the life-blood of Kearny.
Still involved and very opinionated, Eck is currently Vice President of the Copper Area Health Volunteers, on the Health Clinic board and Leadership Team of the Methodist Church. She is even part of the P.E.O., Philanthropic Educational Organization, a national organization of women that give scholarships to students in need. “Kids need to learn more; they can do anything with knowledge.” Although the years have a taken a toll on her health, Eck is restless. “I am still searching for my purpose.” She hopes to get a nursing home built in Kearny. In the meantime, Eck reads when she can and loves to watch the sunset.
Mary Louise Eck’s 90th birthday party will be held at the Church of the Good Shepard on June 17 from 2 – 4 p.m. The whole town is invited to come and wish her well.
Happy Birthday, Mary Louise, and thank you for all you’ve done for this town.
by by