Barbara N. Peters-Eshleman, 82, of Kutztown died on Friday, September 9, at home in Kutztown surrounded by family.
Born in the Bay Ridge neighborhood of Brooklyn, NY, she was the daughter of the late Arthur and Jean (Moore) Nelson. While attending Hunter College in New York, she met and married Joseph Peters, moving to the Allentown area and later to Kutztown, where she resided until her death. After the death of her first husband, she married Harry Eshleman, who also predeceased her.
Barbara is survived by son Jonathan Peters [Barbara Schroeder], of State College, daughter Jennifer Reimert [Randall], of Kutztown, and stepdaughters Lisa McCrae [Brian], of Newport, Vermont, Janice Eshleman, of Lyons Station and Lynne Brolly [Michael], of Bethlehem as well as fourteen grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. One of eight siblings, she is also survived by sisters Janice Spitale [Luciano] and Joyce Jacobsen [Walter], both of Melbourne Florida, brother John Nelson [Patricia], of Basking Ridge, New Jersey, Jean Woomer [Earl], of Reo Verde, Arizona, brother Mark Nelson [Lisa], of Great Falls, Virginia, sister Laurie Nelson Posner, of Stafford, Virginia and sister-in-law Therese Nelson, of Orlando, Florida. She was predeceased by her parents as well as a brother, Bruce Nelson.
Barbara was an advocate for underrepresented groups throughout her life, serving on the Allentown Committee for Equality in the 1960s, and working as Kutztown University’s first Affirmative Action officer and later as KU’s Americans with Disabilities Act Coordinator. In retirement she served on the board of Friend, Inc., a community service agency in Kutztown.
Barbara enjoyed spending time outdoors, especially gardening and visiting the beach with her children and grandchildren. She loved hosting holiday dinners for her large extended family. A voracious reader and supporter of literacy initiatives and her local library, she became an avid painter later in life.
Funeral Services Wednesday, September 14, 2016, at 2 PM, from Trinity Lutheran Church, 357 W. Main St., Kutztown, PA 19530, with the Rev. Keith Rohrbach, officiating. Burial will be private. Relatives and friends may call Wednesday from 1 PM until time of service at the church. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Friend, Inc., of Kutztown.
The Edward J. Hildenbrand Funeral Home, Inc., Kutztown, is assisting the family.
www.hildenbrandfuneralhome.com