Esch, Carolyn Weaver (1934-2001)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 15 Nov 2001 p. 11

Birth date: 1934 Dec 10

text of obituary

CAROLYN WEAVER ESCH

Carolyn Weaver Esch, 66, of Arvada, Colo., died Oct. 25, 2001, at Lake Granby. She was born Dec. 10, 1934, in Goshen, Ind., to Edwin and Irene Weaver.

Carolyn attended Woodstock School in India where her parents were missionaries for many years. She lived in India from age 10 months through age 17, with the exception of a brief period when they lived in the United States during World War II. Upon leaving India she attended Goshen (Ind.) College, where she met Victor Esch, whom she married Aug. 14, 1955.

She graduated from Goshen College in 1956. She earned a master's degree in social work in 1977 from Denver University. She practiced as a psychotherapist, first at Bethesda Hospital and then in her own private practice for about 20 years.

She was a member of the National Association of Social Workers.

After leaving Indiana, they moved to Phoenix, Ariz., and later to Glenwood Springs and Rocky Ford, Colo. In 1966, they moved to Richmond and Charlottesville, Va., where her husband was in graduate school. They moved to Arvada in 1968. The delight of their retirement years was building a new home at Lake Granby.

She was a member of First Mennonite Church of Denver, where she served on various committees and was a member of the choir. The love of music was a special part of her life, and she contributed much to the lives of others through music.

Survivors include her husband, Victor; two children, Linda Bontrager and her husband, Jay, of Middlebury, Ind., and Rod Esch and his wife, Cindy Patzell, of Littleton; her mother, Irene Weaver of Hesston, Kan.; a brother, Jerry Weaver of Arvada; and five grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by a sister, Betty Shima; and her father, Edwin Weaver.

A memorial service was held at First Mennonite Church, and included some of her musical selections and contributions.