Joan Eckstein, 101

Worked for “The Economist”

Dec. 19, 1924  -  February 7, 2026

Joan Jeffery Eckstein died on February 7 at the age of 101 at Stonebridge at Montgomery in Skillman, where she had resided for 10 years. Prior to that, she was a longtime resident of Princeton and Rocky Hill.

She was born Joan Jeffery Campbell on December 19, 2024 in Surbiton, Surrey County, England and was of English, Scottish, and Irish descent. Her father was Lawrence Eversley Campbell, a research food chemist who became head of the British Chemicals Association. Later in his career, he also worked for the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in Rome. Her mother was Doris Winifred Campbell, née Jeffery, a homemaker.

During World War II, she attended college at the London School of Economics, and later earned a master’s degree in sociology there. After college, she worked at The Economist magazine.

In 1954, she married Harry H. Eckstein and moved to the United States, first living in the Boston area and then briefly in Palo Alto, California. In 1960, she moved with her husband to the Princeton area, living briefly in Griggstown and then in Princeton until 1977, when she purchased a home in Rocky Hill. She lived in Rocky Hill through 2015, finally moving to Stonebridge.

She worked a variety of jobs, including fundraising for nonprofits, such as her alma mater in the UK and various arts organizations. She also worked as a researcher for Professor William Baumol of Princeton University and as a contract research associate for the Educational Testing Service. While living in Rocky Hill, she was active in the Rocky Hill Community Group.

She was predeceased by her parents Lawrence E. and Doris J. Campbell, and her sister, Mary Fjeld. She is survived by her son, Jonathan Eckstein, his wife Bonnie, and her grandchildren, Benjamin and Caleb Eckstein.

Arrangements are by Mather-Hodge Funeral Home.

Donations in her name may be made to WHYY public broadcasting, of which she was a devoted supporter.