• Anna Ruth Eshom
Anna Ruth Eshom, 98, passed away August 27, 2017 at Stonebridge at Montgomery in Skillman, NJ. Born April 27, 1919 in Spring City, PA., she was the daughter of Harry J. and Anna R. Conwell. At age five she moved to Prospect Park, PA, where she lived for 80 years.
Anna was the salutatorian of her class of 1936 at Prospect High School, and attained a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in teaching from Moore College of Art and Design in Philadelphia in 1941. Also in 1941 she met her husband, Boatswain Mate Chief Clarence Clayton Eshom, at a USO dance. After a four year war separation, they were married in 1946 at Prospect United Methodist Church.
Anna taught art to all ages, but she particularly loved her 17 years at Interboro High School in Glenolden, PA. She developed an excellent program which prepared many for art careers, and is fondly remembered for her accepting, loving influence on her students. She was recognized with a “Professional Achievement Award” from Moore College in 1997, was inducted into the Interboro Hall of Fame in 2007, and has been honored by a former student with an art scholarship in her name given to an Interboro graduate each year.
After retirement in 1981 Anna and Clarence traveled the country in their airstream trailer.
Clarence passed away in 1985 and Anna then devoted her time to her church, friends, and garden. In 2004 she moved to Stonebridge, where she quickly made new friends and resumed her career at age 86 by teaching a drawing class to her fellow residents.
Anna’s memory will be cherished by her survivors, daughter Carlana Sargent and husband Douglas, granddaughter Amy Rice and husband Sean, grandson Alexander Sargent and wife Lana, great grandchildren Christopher Rice, Erica Rice, James Sargent, and Benjamin Sargent, and many cousins, friends, and students.
A celebration of Anna’s life with reception following will be held at Stonebridge at Montgomery, 100 Hollinshead Spring Rd, Skillman, NJ 08558 on Sunday, October 1, 2017 at 2:30 pm.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory may be made to the InspireMoore Fund, and mailed to Elizabeth Cahill, Director of Development, Moore College of Art and Design, 20th Street and The Parkway, Philadelphia, PA, 19103, or to Prospect United Methodist Church, 800 Lincoln Ave., Prospect Park, PA, 19076.