Cathleen Clare Esleeck

GREENFIELD, Mass. – Cathleen Clare Esleeck, 99, passed away on July 2, 2022 at her home in Greenfield, Mass. Cathy was born on August 26, 1922, in Detroit, Mich., the daughter of Edwin and Nathalie Norris Clare of Athol, Mass, and Durham, N.C.

On Dec. 5, 1944, she married Irving N. Esleeck Jr. Cathy had 62 years of a wonderful marriage. Irving “Red” passed away on March 13, 2006. Cathy had a son Edwin C. Esleeck, the joy of her life who also passed away on Sept. 28, 2008.

Cathy graduated from The Bement School in Deerfield, Mass., Dana Hall School in Wellesley, Mass. and Sarah Lawrence College in Bronxville, N.Y. She majored in music, and as Cathy would tell you with a chuckle, “dating”.

In Cathy’s younger days she was active in community organizations. She was president of the Board of Organized Work (a Franklin Medical Center organization). She also served as trustee of the Bement School in Deerfield, Mass. and a member of Greenfield Town Meeting.

Cathy was a member of Historic Deerfield, Pioneer Valley Symphony, Boston Symphony, and the Chilton Club of Boston. She was a member of Saints James and Andrew Episcopal Church in Greenfield, Mass. where she was responsible for the renovation of All Saints Chapel which also involved her supervision and expertise in the needlepoint kneeler project. (A dedicated and beautiful addition.)

Cathy’s personal interests were varied; her favorite winter sport was skiing. She said that skiing helped with the long New England winters. She was an avid reader with mysteries and political biographies being her favorites, played bridge, cooked, (she had a cookbook library), cared for her beloved pets, and did needlepoint but her greatest pleasure was music.

Cathy was involved with her summer colony on Five Islands; near Boothbay Harbor. Island activity had been part of her life since the early ’60s. She enjoyed so much of her outings on her boat “Sea Lady” cruising the coast of Maine, and the Five Island community.

The care and dedication of Cathy’s aides and helpers are greatly acknowledged. The compassion, thoughtfulness, kindness and laughter were of the highest quality. Thank you, thank you. And a grateful thank you to Pioneer Valley Hospice for their continuous support, quiet compassion and patience.

Cathy leaves a first cousin, Lawrence Carpenter of New Jersey; a number of second cousins; and her lifelong family friend, Bob Brown.

A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, July 12, at 2 p.m. at The Episcopal Church of Saints James and Andrew, 8 Church St., Greenfield, Mass., with Rev. Heather Blais officiating. Following the service all are welcome to join together in the Whitman Room for fellowship and refreshments. Burial will be private in North Meadow Cemetery.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Kostanski Funeral Home. For condolences, please visit http://www.kostanskifuneralhome.com.

In lieu of flowers, Cathy requested that memorial contributions be made to:

The Episcopal Church of Saints James and Andrew,

8 Church St.,

Greenfield, MA 01301