Charlotte Ann Esch, BVM
Charlotte Ann Esch, BVM died Monday, Nov. 30, 2015, at Marian Hall in Dubuque, Iowa. Visitation will be from 9–11 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 4, 2015, in the Marian Hall Chapel followed by a prayer service at 11 a.m. Funeral liturgy will be at 1:30 p.m. Burial is in the Mount Carmel cemetery.
She was born in Winfield, Kan. on Oct. 3, 1917, to John and Iola Condit Esch. She entered the BVM congregation Sept. 8, 1935, from Holy Name Parish, Winfield. She professed first vows on March 19, 1938, and final vows on Aug. 15, 1943.
Charlotte Ann was an elementary school teacher in Des Moines, Iowa; Missoula, Mont.; Omaha, Neb.; San Francisco and San Jose, Calif.; and Kauai, Hi. She also served in parish ministry in San Francisco.
She was preceded in death by her parents and brother Edward. She is survived by cousins and the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, with whom she shared life for 80 years.
Sister Charlotte Ann Esch, BVM
Funeral Welcome
Marian Hall Chapel, Dec. 4, 2015
Good afternoon and welcome to the celebration of the life of our Sister Charlotte Ann Esch.
Dorothy Jean Esch was born Oct. 3, 1917, to John Esch and Iola Condit who farmed near Winfield, Kan. Her older brother Edward died as a young child and her mother died when Dorothy Jean was eight years old.
During her teen years, she was sent to live with an aunt and uncle while she attended Mt. Carmel Academy in Wichita. After graduating, she requested admission to the Sisters of Charity, stating that she wished to become a sister because of her “love of God” and her desire for “greater perfection.” Dorothy Jean entered the congregation on Sept. 8, 1935, and received the name Charlotte Ann upon reception on March 19, 1936. She professed first vows on March 19, 1938, and lived 80 years as a BVM.
Charlotte Ann spent 40 years teaching primary grades. Her missions included St. Ambrose in Des Moines, Iowa; St. Anthony in Missoula, Mont.; St. Bridget in Omaha, Neb.; St. Joseph in Butte, Mont.; St. Leo in San Jose, Calif.; Most Holy Redeemer, St. Paul and St. Philip in San Francisco; and Holy Cross and St. Catherine in Kauai, Hawaii.
She was a wonderful teacher who touched the lives of her students. Her influence led one former student, Marie Corr, to enter the BVM community. Decades later, another former student traveled half way across the country to visit her at Mount Carmel. Charlotte Ann served six years in parish ministry at Most Holy Redeemer in San Francisco, where she enjoyed attending parish activities, and two years as a teacher’s aide at St. Paul ES.
While in Hawaii, Charlotte formed a close friendship with Mary LaStant. When she moved to Wright Hall in 1987, she discovered a welcome note and a Chicago Transit Authority map waiting for her courtesy of Mary. The two of them would travel the CTA on Saturdays taking architectural tours and seeing the sights of the big city.
Charlotte Ann had a great love of animals, especially horses, which she rode growing up on the family farm. As an adult, she visited animal parks and embraced every opportunity to pet the members of the wild kingdom, including lions, while her friends looked on with trepidation. She also had two unique hobbies. She would gather sea shells when she lived in Hawaii and create figurines of women with long skirts. She was also interested in health and beauty products and even sold Amway cosmetics to close acquaintances for a time.
Charlotte Ann loved being outdoors. She greatly enjoyed taking walks because of the sense of freedom it gave her, but she is probably best known for her green thumb. She nurtured beautiful rose bushes at Most Holy Redeemer, while at Wright Hall she transformed a small plot of land outside of the dining room into a wonderful flower garden where there was something in bloom throughout the growing season.
Her specialty was growing roses for which she won an award. She enthusiastically extended an invitation to “Come and see my garden” to all visitors. In today’s gospel, Jesus is the true vine and the Father is the vine grower who prunes every branch so that it will bear more fruit. Working among her flowers was a time of pruning for Charlotte Ann that allowed peace and contentment to blossom in her life.
Charlotte Ann was a kind, loving person always willing to help. Even in later years, she was happy to receive company and welcomed them by holding fast to their hands. Yet, Charlotte was rather private, inwardly attentive, and didn’t care for fanfare. She lived her life as Mary Frances Clarke directed: “Go on steady and quiet.” We lovingly recall with deep gratitude the life of Charlotte Ann as we now celebrate her entrance into eternal life.