Eve Foy Eckardt

Eve Foy Eckardt, 86, of Atlanta, died peacefully at home on June 3rd, 2026. The cause was pancreatic cancer, but she died peacefully while napping, in the presence of loved ones, and in the thoughts of many others. She will be remembered with love by so many, and she will be deeply missed.

She was born in Jackson, MS, to Frances Robins and John Ellison Foy. Her family moved throughout the south, but they settled in Atlanta, where she graduated from Northside High School. She later attended Vanderbilt University and ultimately received her B.A. from Emory University.

She is predeceased by Robert Remick Eckardt, her husband of 22 years. She is survived by daughter Anne Conlee Mazlish (Tony) and son John Ellison Conlee (Celia Keenan-Bolger), and their father, Cecil Conlee; grandchildren Zachary, Dean, and Eve Mazlish, and William Conlee; stepchildren Michael Eckardt (Courtenay Collins), David Eckardt (Cindy), Catherine Rodts, and Richard Eckardt (April); and step-grandchildren Avery, Carson, and Ally Rodts, Davis and Carter Eckardt, Neely and Remick Eckardt, Collins and Spencer Vise, Jamie James, and step-nephew Robert Weber. She is also survived by her beloved big sister, Anne Foy Smathers; her nieces, Robin Smathers and Nancy Hutton; and nephew Foy Smathers and their families.

She became a member of Trinity Presbyterian Church as a teenager and was deeply inspired by her minister, Allison Williams. Trinity became one of the most significant parts of her life. Her faith did not exclude questioning, and she would sometimes describe herself as a “heretic,” but she served on the Session four times, taught church school, chaired many committees, delivered Meals on Wheels for 20-plus years, tutored children from the AGAPE Community Center, was a Circle member and leader, and a Stephen Minister. She was a founding member of Hospice of the South, a board member of Visiting Nurse Health Systems (VNHS), and was a member of the VNHS Advisory Board. She served twice on the Trinity School Board of Trust.

In recent years, she engaged in political activities and protests, and participated in both the current affairs club and writing clubs at Peachtree Hills Place, where she lived.

Her friends and family meant everything to her, and we knew it. She was loving and devoted as a mother and grandmother, and this love extended beyond biological and geographical borders. Her cherished book club, founded in 1971, continues, and that circle of friends was so important to her throughout her life. She was passionate about the theatre and gave both her presence and patronage to theaters in New York and here in Atlanta. She was also a longtime patron of Atlanta’s Terminus Ballet.

She was a fun and generous host and was incredibly thoughtful. Known for bringing homemade gifts to loved ones, she could be counted on to deliver her incredible cooking, personalized poetry, or hand-painted watercolors to those in need, and to those who were just plain lucky.

She loved and supported so many and was loved and supported in return.

In lieu of flowers, if you wish to make a gift, donations may be made to Trinity Presbyterian Church Trust Fund or AGAPE Youth and Family Center.

Her memorial will be Thursday, June 18th, at 11 a.m. at Trinity Presbyterian Church.