Kathleen Eschenburg

Kathleen (Kathy) Adele Jenkins Eschenburg, 71, passed away in her home in Royal Palm Beach, Florida on her birthday, July 10, 2021, after beating the odds against challenging health conditions for more than 20 years. Her four adult children were at her bedside. Her doggie was in her lap. Her sister and one of her nephews, Steven Jenkins, were at the foot of her bed. All seven grandkids were playing outside, each having been able to say good-bye. Family and friends were filtering in and out. It was as perfect as it could be. 100% Pure Love. Born in Arlington, Virginia, Kathleen returned to her true-blue Eastern Shore of Maryland Hickman roots, where she married her life partner, Richard (Dick) William Eschenburg Sr., by whom Kathleen was predeceased after 19 years of marriage. Also predeceased by her father Erroll Ralph Jenkins, mother, Mary Lou Jenkins Stevens, and brother, Erroll D. Jenkins {husband of Kathy Jenkins}. She is survived by her brother Daniel Edward Jenkins and sister Judith Jenkins Beck; her eldest daughter Dana Eschenburg Perez of Royal Palm Beach, FL {wife of Carlos D. Perez} and three grandchildren Danilo, Stella, Cora Perez; her son Daniel Eschenburg and two grandchildren Bianca and Scarlett Eschenburg of West Palm Beach, FL; and her two youngest daughters, Ashley Eschenburg of Paris, France {compagne of Shayan Khazaei of Tehran, Iran} and Mary Colleen Eschenburg {wife of Paul Lopez} and two grandchildren Nicholas (Nico) and Camila Lopez Eschenburg of Cuenca, Ecuador. Kathleen was a historical romance novelist and avid reader. She was also a cocktail waitress, gym teacher, basketball coach, Eastern Shore hospitality maestro, end of life caretaker, homemaker and all around laugh generator. She never turned a stray away, the four-legged type as well as the two-legged type, once they crossed her doorstep either on their own accord, or via one of her family members, they were “adopted” and could stay as long as they wished. A trait she acquired from her husband. A never-ending learner, Kathleen was an expert at bestowing unconditional love, deep kindness and profound wisdom to those closest to her. She was the family’s walking encyclopedia and matriarch who walked to the beat of her own drum. She was a remarkable woman who bestowed her knowledge upon request, was content to be a wallflower yet thoroughly loved an engaging conversation. She encouraged her children’s thirst for adventure, self-expression, compassion and travel, including “Getting the Hell out of Dodge.” She was the perfect mix of iconoclast, wisdom and kindness; the level to which her family can only hope to achieve one day. She was most thankful to have been gifted the time to watch her family grow (and equally thankful to have had her own clean and kid-clutter-free home during her final years). While endeavoring to teach her grandchildren the love of reading, she dotingly conceded, readers are quite possibly born, not made. Kathleen’s bright, easy laughter was a family treasure that will continue to live on through her children and surviving family. The viewing and services will be held at Palms West Funeral Home in Royal Palm Beach, Florida on Thursday July 15, 2021 at 5:30pm. To virtually attend Kathleen’s memorial service, please contact the family. Donations can be made on Kathleen’s behalf to Coastal Hospice & Palliative Care (2604 Old Ocean City Rd, Salisbury, MD 21804). She will be cremated and her ashes will make stops in Paris, France; Cuenca, Ecuador; the beaches of Florida; back home to Ocean City, Maryland as well as in Arlington, Virginia; but most importantly, she will finally return to rest at her husband’s side to their shared gravestone in Berlin, Maryland.

Kathleen Eschenburg

July 10, 1950 - July 10, 2021