Kristin L. Penney Eckhardt, 40
Irving, Texas – Kristin Leigh Penney Eckhardt, a beacon of kindness and love, completed her earthly journey on Jan. 29, 2025, in Dallas, Texas, after a courageous battle with an illness. Born on Aug. 22, 1984, in Irving, Texas, Kristin’s life was a testament to the power of generosity and the strength of the human spirit. She was a devoted mother, a beloved daughter, a cherished sister, and a treasured friend to all who were blessed to know her.
Kristin’s life was a beautiful tapestry woven with the threads of love and dedication. As a proud alumna of the University of North Texas in Denton, Texas, she earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education, igniting a passion for teaching that would become her life’s calling. With grace and enthusiasm, Kristin embraced her role as a first-grade teacher at Tadlock Elementary School in Frisco, Texas, touching the lives of countless young minds with her warmth and wisdom.
Beyond the classroom, Kristin’s zest for life was evident in her love for cooking and entertaining. Her home was a hub of joy and laughter, where friends and family were always welcomed with open arms and a hearty meal. Kristin’s greatest joy, however, was found in the precious moments spent with her daughters, Ava and Raelynn Eckhardt. Their home resonated with the sounds of impromptu dance parties and movie nights, memories that will forever dance in the hearts of her girls.
Her spirit of generosity extended to her parents, Steve and Carol Penney, who instilled in her the values of kindness and compassion. Kristin’s sister, Jessica Griesemer, along with her husband Aaron and nieces Hayden and Ashlynn, shared a bond with Kristin that transcended words, a bond of laughter, support, and endless love. Though she was preceded in death by her grandparents Austin and Lorine Six and Paul and Maxine Penney, the legacy of love and strength they left behind continued to flourish in Kristin.
Kristin’s life was a living example that kindness is a language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see. Her generosity was not just an act, but a way of life, and the love she had for those around her was a guiding light that will continue to shine. As a motivational force, Kristin’s story encourages us to embrace every moment with love, to live generously, and to make every day a masterpiece.
As we celebrate Kristin’s life, let us carry her spirit within us, nurturing it with the same love, kindness, and joy she shared so freely. Let her memory be a reminder that we, too, can be beacons of light in the lives of others, and that the most profound legacy we can leave is one of love.
Kristin Leigh Penney Eckhardt’s journey on this earth may have come to a close, but the echoes of her laughter, the warmth of her embrace, and the generosity of her spirit will forever remain. She lived a life that inspired, a life that mattered, and a life that will continue to influence the world through the hearts of those she touched. Let us honor her memory by living with the same courage, compassion, and boundless love that she embodied every single day.
Kristin’s unwavering spirit, her boundless love, and her enduring kindness are the gifts she leaves behind, treasures that will continue to inspire and uplift all who knew her. As we bid farewell to a remarkable soul, let us celebrate the extraordinary life of Kristin Leigh Penney Eckhardt, a life that will forever be remembered and cherished.
A funeral service will be held on Feb. 15, 2025, at 10 a.m. at Colonial Funeral Home, 606 West Airport Freeway, Irving, Texas. Burial will be at Oak Grove Memorial Gardens in Irving, Texas.