Kathleen M. “Kathie” (Rice, Hidenfelter) Ecker, 78, passed away peacefully on Sunday, March 20, 2022.

She was the beloved wife of the late Kenneth A. Ecker who died in 2014.

Kathie was born in Worcester on July 1, 1943, daughter of the late Albert F. and Edith (Burbank) Rice. She grew up in Columbus Park and was a 1961 graduate of South High School. She was a long-time resident of Holden; and since January 2020 she was a long-term care resident at LifeCare Center of Plymouth.

She was employed at Lindco, Inc. in Worcester and later at Fallon Clinic Pharmacy in Holden. Kathie adored her kitty Caesar; she was a maven at bingo while at LifeCare; and she loved all kinds of family gatherings – especially those at Wright’s Chicken Farm.

Kathie leaves behind her four children, Theresa M. “Terri” Hidenfelter of North Attleboro, Deborah M. Hidenfelter of Bourne, Michael A. Hidenfelter and his wife Amy of Bourne and Stephen A. Hidenfelter and his wife Kimberly of Williamstown, VT; three grandchildren, Tomas and Leah Hidenfelter of Bourne and Meghann Hidenfelter. of Woodbury, TN. She is also survived by her sister Marjorie Falcone of Erie, CO. as well as several nieces, nephews, extended family members and friends.

Besides her parents, Kathleen was predeceased by her brother James F. Rice of Worcester and a nephew, Brian A. Rice of Oceanside, CA.

Family and friends will celebrate Kathie’s life with visiting hours on Friday, March 25th from 10:00am to 12:00pm at Fay Brothers Life Celebration Home, 1 West Boylston Street, West Boylston. A funeral service will follow in the funeral home then burial will take place at Worcester County Memorial Park, Paxton. Family and friends will then be invited to attend a gathering at The Manor.

Kathleen’s children would like to thank the staff at LifeCare Center of Plymouth – especially her respiratory therapist Sandra as well as everyone on the Standish unit for the wonderful care they provided during her stay.