A friend gone too soon

The line of people waiting to get into the Inn on West Beech Street on Aug. 29 stretched for five blocks, as people turned out for a benefit in memory of Long Beach resident Kate Rose Eichin, a mother of two who was killed in June when she was struck by a car outside of her home. Upon entering the event, organizers provided guests with a turquoise memorial bracelet adorned with Kate’s name. By 6 p.m., just three hours after the benefit began, 1,100 bracelets had already been given out.

“Everyone in the whole community came out for us,” said Judi Eichin, Kate’s mother-in-law, as she spoke of the overwhelming support from people, who turned out in droves for a family still reeling from a devastating loss.

Family and friends said that Eichin was “at the pinnacle of her life,” and left behind a loving husband, Eric, a New York City firefighter and former Long Beach lifeguard, and two young children, 2-year-old son Shea, and newborn daughter Charlotte, just five-weeks-old at the time of Kate's death.

The benefit was aimed at helping the family's financial burden and to start funds for Kate's children, and all of the proceeds at the event were donated.

The turnout of approximately 1,500 people, organizers said, illustrates the impact that Eichin had on people's lives. More than 300 businesses, organizations and individuals contributed to the fundraiser and donated raffle prizes, including the Inn, which donated the venue and service, and Swingbelly's, which provided the food. Bartenders at the Inn, organizers said, even donated their tips, a clear indication that Kate's death deeply affected many people.

 “It's only been a couple of months, and I think everyone is still in a little bit of shock. I think everybody was so heartbroken, whether you knew the family or not,"”said Brian Walsh, a firefighter and friend of Eric who co-organized the event.

  Walsh and other organizers, all friends of Kate and Eric, lauded the Inn owner Pete Jacoutot.

“Everybody involved was tremendous, especially the guys at the Inn,” Walsh said.