Obituary of Anne Elizabeth Esslinger

   It is with great sadness that the family of Anne Elizabeth Esslinger of Karsdale, Annapolis County, announces her death at home on Tuesday July 24,2018 at the age of 91. She was predeceased by her beloved husband William Esslinger, brothers: Major Robert George (Bill), (Brenda) and Lieut. Cdr. Donald Loughlin, (Doreen). She is survived by her loved children: William Robert (Louise), Montreal; Ellen Winifred Riley, Jacksonville, FL; George Matthew (Andrea Patriquin), San Francisco, CA and Mary Elizabeth (Daniel Ritchie), Karsdale. Also surviving are nine grandchildren, Krista (Bryn Edgeley) Montreal; Lorne (Emma),Toronto; and Lindsay Esslinger (Ryan Clarke),Ottawa; Michael (Laura) ,Atlanta, GA; Dylan, Jacksonville, FL; and Hunter Riley, Jacksonville, FL; Erica Butler (Sean),Halifax, Marina (Jonathan Dulmage) and Owen Ritchie (Shauna Aucoin), as well as 9 great grandchildren.

   Born in 1926 in Twyford, England to Robert Donald and Winifred Laura (Roberts) Thexton, Anne emigrated with her family in 1933 to Nova Scotia.  She was educated at the Halifax Ladies College and Mount Saint Vincent Academy.  Upon graduation she was employed for the next two years as a reporter with the Halifax Daily Star.  She then attended the University of Kings College, where she obtained a diploma in journalism, finishing up her university years with a BA from Dalhousie University.

   Anne met her husband William in Toronto, and they married in 1951.  In 1960 they left Ontario for Montreal, and in 1980 they retired to Karsdale, and purchased the 9-hole Hillsdale Golf Course, which was renamed the Annapolis Golf and Country Club and extended to 18 holes.

   Active in the community of Annapolis Royal, Anne served on the boards of Kings Theatre and the Annapolis Valley Regional Library.  She was a volunteer with the local Library, UNICEF and the community health centre, ACHC, and was a literary tutor with LAUBACH.  A long-time member of the Annapolis Drama Society, Anne appeared in many plays and musicals.  She sang for years with St. Luke’s Anglican Church choir and with the choral group, Annapolis Consort.

   The family would like to extend a very grateful thank you to Mum’s wonderful and loving caregivers as well as the empathetic and warm devotion of Dr. Buchholz. Cremation has taken place under the care and direction of the Kaulbach Family Funeral Home, Annapolis Royal. The funeral service will be held 11:00 am, Saturday, July 28 at St. Luke’s Anglican Church, Annapolis Royal.  Rev. Juanita Barteaux officiating.  In lieu of flowers, donations to the Annapolis Royal Public Library, Kings Theatre or ACHC Foundation would be gratefully appreciated. On line condolences may be sent to www.kaulbachfamilyfuneralhome.com