Priscilla Eleanor (Pettie) Krufka Eckert, 93, of Orefield, died Nov. 20, 2025. She was the daughter and youngest child of seven to William Sr. and Emeline (Ogg) Tait.

After high school, she worked at Hess Brothers as a sales clerk and model, and later went to work for PP&L, before marrying Ed Krufka, a Western Electric engineer and renowned wresting coach in Berks County. He died in 1980, leaving her as a young widow of six children. She married Terry Eckert in 1983, and they spent 38 happy years together, blending their families to create something new and beautiful – supporting and celebrating nine children and eventually 22 grandchildren.

She was a committed philanthropist and volunteer, giving her time and treasure to many causes dear to her heart, including Catholic Charities, and of course, cooking for the priests at her home parishes of Holy Guardian Angels and later St. Joseph the Worker.

She liked etiquette, formal invitations and was proper when the occasion demanded such. That said, she adored surprise guests who would stop in, fly in and pop in unannounced, greeting them with a hot meal and a “pull-your-chair-up-and-tell-me-what-you’ve-been-up-to” attitude.

She is survived by children, Edward Krufka Jr. (Lavinia), Michael Krufka (Brenda), Andrew Krufka, Theresa Podguski (Richard), Katherine Janis and Margaret Ciliberti (Michael); Andrew (Jean), Susy Shea (Andrew) and Sandy Roberts (Daniel); 21 grandchildren; 7 great-grandchildren; dozens of nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews; countless more friends who will consider themselves family.

In addition to her husbands and parents, she was predeceased by six siblings: Gladys Tait, Marjorie Minnich, Dorothy Hoffner Folk, Ann Kilmer, Lois Hunter and William F. Tait Jr.; granddaughter, Stephanie Krufka, four brothers-in-law and a sister-in-law.

Bachman, Kulik & Reinsmith Funeral Home, 17th and Hamilton streets, Allentown, handled the arrangements. Online condolences may be offered to the family at www.BKRFH.com.

Memorials can be made in her memory to St. Joseph the Worker Memorial Fund.