Obituary of Marianne R. Esch

Marianne R. Esch, 90, died peacefully, surrounded by her children on January 8, 2023. Born in Grand Rapids, MI, she was the daughter of the late Adam and Anna (Hornik) Toczydlowski.

She married Louis Esch at St. Isidore Catholic Church in Grand Rapids on Feb. 9, 1952. They ultimately settled in Glenville, N.Y., when he went to work at Knolls Atomic Power Laboratory.  Together, they raised six children and shared a deep love of their church, family, and the outdoors.

An avid gardener, Marianne grew vegetables and flowers in gardens around the yard and orchids indoors. She sewed clothes and toys when the children were young. On family camping trips in the Adirondacks, she took care of the organizing and cooking for a family of eight while the kids enjoyed swimming and exploring the woods. When the children were grown, Marianne continued to enjoy the outdoors with Lou, joining him on the annual hawk watch with the Hudson Mohawk Bird Club.

She was a devout Catholic, often attending daily Mass and serving as a Eucharistic minister and member of the Rosary Altar Society at the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Glenville. 

Her greatest love was for her family. She loved nothing more than having her children and grandchildren crowded around the table for her sauerbraten at Christmas, on the deck for summer cookouts, or enjoying her carrot cakes, molasses cookies and other delights baked from well-worn recipe cards crammed into her kitchen cupboard.

For many years, she worked as a nurse’s aide at the former Glenridge Hospital and at Glendale Home in Glenville. It was work for which she was well suited, as one who dedicated her life to caring for others in the community as well as at home.

She was truly the heart of her family, the one all of her children confided in and sought counsel from. She always wanted to hear about her children’s achievements and struggles and spent many hours on the phone with them. 

She was predeceased by her husband Louis in 2017, as well as 11 siblings. 

To continue her memory are her children, Joseph (Connie) Esch, Mary Esch, Kathryn (V.J) Picotte, Ruth (Thomas) Bushaw, Elizabeth (Mark) Dale, and Teresa (Adam Taylor) Esch; her 17 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren; beloved brother, Donald Schmuker; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. 

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at the Church of Immaculate Conception in Glenville on Friday, January 13th at 10 AM. 

Memorial donations may be made to Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Albany, 40 North Main Avenue Albany, New York 12203. Online condolences may be made at glenvillefuneralhome.com.