Patricia D. Buch Eshleman

Patricia Diane Buch Eshleman devoted wife, mother, sister, Memaw, aunt, great grandmother and friend departed for Heaven surrounded by the love of her family on August 14, 2024. Pat was born on July 23, 1936. She was the daughter of the late Roy and Idella (Dunkle) Buch. She was the youngest of 10 children. Her twin sister, Terry (Buch) Zerphy, was born 20 minutes before her. Pat grew up in the city of Lancaster and graduated from JP McCaskey in 1954. Throughout her childhood Pat loved to swim, roller skate and dance. She was a gifted performer of the Jitterbug and danced it often all throughout her life. Pat and Jim married right after she graduated from high school and their lifelong adventure began. They spent 2 years on base in San Diego during Jim’s service to his country in the Marines. They then moved back to Lancaster where they would round out their family with 4 daughters. They moved to Willow Street where they lived out their lives. Being a stay-at-home wife and mother came naturally to Pat, and she worked hard to take care of her family. She thrived on making special dishes and elevated her expertise by keeping abreast of the latest new recipes and homemade favorites. Having her family eat dinner together each night was so important to her. Making sure that her girls know, and love Jesus was of prime importance to Pat. Both she and Jim were dedicated to doing that. They centered their life around Redeemer Lutheran Church, Lancaster, PA, and later Ascension Lutheran Church, Willow Street, PA. Pat had an adventurous spirit and love for life. She would pack her girls up on a summer morning and whisk them off to Delaware or New Jersey to visit relatives. Nurturing the individual spirit of her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren was a special gift that Pat possessed. She never complained when her daughters used her clothes and high heels to perform plays on the porch or took her kitchen items outside to make treats. She was the only mom in the neighborhood who would sleep under the stars with her girls or let them roller skate in the basement. Pat knew how to artfully stretch a dollar and taught her girls that you did not have to spend money to have fun. During the years when her girls were still at home Pat enjoyed selling clothing from Minnesota Woolens, which was fun for her daughters, too! When her children were older, Pat enjoyed many different culinary adventures at Chi Phi Fraternity at F&M, Conestoga Country Club and Camp Mack, to name a few. She enjoyed all her experiences. An important part of Pat’s life was her close relationship with her loving siblings and their children. Pat and her husband traveled to many historical sights, many states and enjoyed family vacations. Pat enjoyed going to Casinos with her friends. She stayed close to her high school friends and helped plan many reunions. Pat volunteered at her church helping with meals and wherever she was needed. When her grandchildren were born, she was overjoyed to care for them while their parents worked. Later they were so happy to watch their great grandson while his parents worked. Those were joyous years for both Pat and Jim. Pat will be remembered for her generous and playful spirit, her love and dedication to her husband and her family and friends, her laugh which could light up a room and her dedication to our Savior. She will be lovingly missed by her daughters, Diana B. E. Griffith (Rick), Doreen E. Hershey (Robert, Sr.), Patti L. Mountz (Brian), grandchildren, Ryan J. Griffith (Sarah), Jason T. Griffith (Jill), Ericka L. Griffith and Robert L. Hershey, Jr. (Leanne.) She will also be missed by her great grandchildren, Robert L. Hershey III, Josephine Griffith and Miles Griffith. Pat is lovingly survived by her brother, Earl Buch and twin sister Terry Zerphy, her sister-in-law, Patsy Winters and many nieces and nephews. She is also survived by many dedicated and loving friends. Pat was preceded in death by her loving husband Jim Eshleman, her beautiful daughter Debra. B. Eshleman, son-in-law Thomas White, brothers, John Buch, Robert Buch and Charlie Buch, sisters, Beatrice Eby, Dorothy Colony, Idella Thomson, Betty Eshleman and several nephews. Pat’s family would like to greatly thank Megan Henderson and the loving caregivers at Willow Valley SmartLife, Travis Adams and every person on the amazing team of nurses, professional team, CNAs and the entire staff at Cedarbrook on the 2nd floor of the Glen at Willow Valley. May God Bless you all. A Celebration of Life will be held for Pat at 11:00AM on Saturday, August 31st at the Ascension Lutheran Church, 600 E. Penn Grant Road, Willow Street, PA 17584. Family and friends’ visitation will be from 10:00am until the Service begins at 11:00am on Saturday. Interment will be held in the Millersville Mennonite Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Hospice and Community Care of Lancaster 685 Good Drive Lancaster, PA 17601 or Ascension Lutheran Church PO Box 635, Willow Street, PA 17584.

Patricia D. Buch Eshleman

July 23, 1936 - August 14, 2024