Barbara R. (Burke) Esmeal, 75, of Haverhill died Thursday May 8, 2008 at Merrimack Valley Hospital after a brief illness.
"She treated her boys, friends and companions as if they were her own family. Even if she knew them for a short period of time, she had love for all," her family said.
Born in Haverhill, she was the daughter of the late Harold J. and Mary (Lane) Burke and lived here all of her life.
She attended Haverhill public schools and was a graduate of Haverhill High School, Class of 1951.
Mrs. Esmeal's life was one that was devoted to the care and teaching of children, whether it be her own two sons, her grandchildren, the neighborhood children, or the many thousands of students she touched as a teacher at Ann Crane's Kindergarten, or Pine Knoll Kindergarten.
"Through all the years she did nothing but make friends, be it the many teachers, parents or the kids themselves. She would always remember them all," her son David said.
She worked at Ann Crane Kindergarten for over 30 years and later worked the afternoon sessions at Pine Knoll Kindergarten for 10 years.
Mrs. Esmeal began her career at Ann Crane as a "school bus" driver, bringing her two sons, David and Daniel, as well as eight to 10 other children to school each morning in an old, full-size station wagon.
"When I was 5 years old I was sent to Anne Crane. At that time the school buses where the old station wagons. I got car sick on the way home one day and after that, she became one of the drivers. From there she became a part-time teacher, eventually becoming full-time. She had so much love for that job," said her son David.
Known to have a strong presence in her neighborhood, she was described as being a professional mother.
"Children were her life and for that I will never forget her. She was that special mother, teacher and friend," David, her son, said.
She loved spending time with family and friends, especially if it was a day at the beach. Mrs. Esmeal, along with her two sons, would pack the station wagon full of neighborhood kids and head to Hampton Beach. Cousins and relatives would meet the group there and together, they would take up a whole corner of the beach by the jetty from sun-up to sun-down.
"The neighborhood kids all adored her for being such a special person and including them in our trips to the beach. She always enjoyed every minute she spent there," said her son David.
Christmas was known as Mrs. Esmeal holiday. She would bake all sorts of cookies and chocolates and make up trays for the whole neighborhood, including her many friends from the school and church.
"We always enjoyed Christmas morning with her. She would have stacks of all sorts of trinkets that she received from her students and other kids in the neighborhood, including little apples with the child's name and the year painted on it. We're still finding them around the house. It was definitely her holiday," her son David said.
The births of her grandchildren brought a special joy to her life and they always held a special place in her heart.
"Those kids put a sparkle in her eye. It was a look that said she was going to enjoy teaching yet another group of children and she did, from reading them books, to drawing, to always finding some sort of craft to make," said her son David.
The widow of the late Richard A. Esmeal who died in 1985, she leaves her sons, David C. Esmeal and his companion, Tammy Cruz, and Daniel R. Esmeal and his wife Tracy (Janczak), all of Haverhill, cherished grandchildren, Benjamin, Madison, Sydney, Alexandra and Max Esmeal, and several nieces and nephews.
Arrangements were made by the Kevin B. Comeau Funeral Home 486 Main St. (Route 125) Haverhill. Burial followed at Union Cemetery, in Newton, N.H. Memorial donations may be made to Joslin Diabetes Center, 1 Joslin Place, Boston, MA 02215. The family sends many thanks to all those who have shown their support and love.
