Obituary of Kathlen Ruth Dancer

The Reverend Kathleen Ruth Dancer, 76, of Ocala, Florida, passed over to a new and joyous life in Heaven in the early hours of Friday, November 12, 2021 following a brief fight with cancer. She was surrounded by her family and her two dogs, Gypsy and Bingo, in the final weeks of her earthly life. 

Kathleen was born to George and June Hoddinott in Baltimore, MD on January 3, 1945. Growing up in a military family, she spent her childhood hopping from base to base across the US and abroad. She obtained her Bachelor’s degree in Zoology at Michigan State University, a Master’s degree in Entomology at Kansas State University and a PhD in Ecology at Cornell University. In 1965, she married George Eickwort, and together they raised their children in Ithaca, New York. In the early 1980s she felt the call to ministry and attended theological seminary at Bexley Hall. She was ordained in the Episcopal Church first as a Deacon in 1983, and then as a Priest in 1984. Kathleen was also a member of the Franciscan Order of Céli Dé.  She served as pastor to congregations in Trumansburg, NY and Muskegon, MI, and founded the Loaves and Fishes food pantry in Ithaca, a ministry that continues to this day. In 2004, she retired to Ocala, Florida. She was active in many online advocacy and support groups, and was the passionate parent of several champion Scottish terriers.

Kathleen is survived by her children, Mary Alexis Seguin, Robert Eickwort, and Jeffrey Eickwort; grandchildren Benjamin Eickwort, Samuel and Xavier Seguin, and Cody Akutsu Eickwort; and brothers Ronald and Thomas Hoddinott. She was predeceased by her parents and husband.

A Celebration of Life for Kathleen will be held at 12:30pm on Friday, November 19 at The River at Ocala Church (4460 SE Maricamp Rd, Ocala, FL 34480). A gathering will begin from 12:00pm until the time of the service. A small graveside ceremony will be held at 2pm Saturday in the Garden of the Cross, Highland Memorial Park, Ocala, FL. Online condolences may be sent to hiers-baxley.com.