Marci Kira Eckemoff

Marci was a sweet and cute girl that loved to smile. She was small, yet strong as she endured many challenges in her life. She steadily progressed and persevered through them with grace and a strength much bigger than her size. She had the brightest smile and would quickly accept hugs. Marci Kira Eckemoff unexpectedly passed away at home on July 29th, 2025. Marci was born in Durham, NC at Duke University Hospital to Nick and Jami Eckemoff who adored her from the moment she was brought into life. Some time later, it appeared that Marci faced challenges meeting milestones and her parents worked diligently to help her overcome them with the support of therapists at Duke University Hospital and Lenox Baker Children's Hospital. She participated in many exercises to help her progress starting from learning how to lift her head as a baby, to learning how to walk and talk as a toddler. Marci went to Oakwood Elementary School for preschool, where she loved spending time with her teachers, peers, and other staff. Her teachers and therapists appreciated how easy she was to work with and praised her steady progress toward her goals. Marci's small stature made it easy for sickness to overwhelm her and she had to be hospitalized on several occasions. No matter the difficulty, she was resilient and pulled through each time. Marci will always be remembered for her endearing, gentle personality and the way that she put a smile on every face she encountered. She was very attached to her mother, who she called "Mama," and would go straight to her for hugs, cuddles, and comfort. Marci's father, who she called "Papa," spent almost every day at home with her, and she always said "Papa" for anything she wanted. Marci inspired her mother to become a Registered Nurse, and Marci was able to see her mother achieve this goal shortly before passing. She loved playing with her brother and sister, taking in the world around her, playing with toys and putting them away, playing with the cat Henry, sharing snacky-snacky time and nappy-nappy time with her brother, and being sung to before bedtime. Most of all, she loved hugs. Marci is survived by her father and mother Nick and Jami Eckemoff, her big sister Eve Eckemoff, her little brother Alex Eckemoff, her paternal grandparents Harry and Yelena Eckemoff, and her maternal grandparents Jim and Dotti Moorefield. Her loving parents will forever and always adore and cherish her. She had a special bond with her loving siblings. She and her big sister Eve would often play imaginatively together. She and her little brother Alex were particularly close, doing many things side by side. The family held a private ceremony in Marci's honor. She was buried with great care at the family's private cemetery where she will always be within close reach of her family. She is now in God's loving care until we meet again. Wrenn-Yeatts Memorial Funeral Home, Yanceyville Chapel is respectfully serving the Eckemoff family.

Marci Kira Eckemoff

November 10, 2019 - July 29, 2025