Kathleen Eslinger McAnany, a disciple of Jesus Christ, wife and mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, friend, teacher and musician fell asleep in Christ March 10, 2025 at her home with her husband of 61 years Mark, daughter Kellie and son Kirk by her side.
Kathleen was born March 20, 1943 in Springfield, MO , the firstborn to Everett and Helen Eslinger. She attended St. Agnes School in Springfield from first grade through 12th, and during her studies discovered her gift and love of music. By age 16 she had become the parish organist for St. Agnes Cathedral. At 18, she directed the Archdiocesan Choir of St. Louis for the 1961 installation Mass of the first bishop of the newly established Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau.
During her first year at Southwest Missouri State College, she met Mark at a Newman Center convention in Kansas City. They were married Nov. 30, 1963. Following her education, Kathleen became a teacher of fourth grade, physical education, and music in the Lonedell school district in St. Claire, MO, and later with the Bayless school district in St. Louis County.
In 1979 Kathleen began her service as music teacher and school choir director at Assumption parish school in St. Louis County. For a time, she also served as the parish’s liturgical music minister before working exclusively in that capacity. In 1988 Mary, Mother of the Church parish hired her as its liturgical music minister where she served until her retirement in 2006.
During the 1970s, Kathleen gave private piano lessons in her home, mostly to children. She arranged for her young students as a group each year to give public recitals at the nursing home where Mark’s grandmother lived. From all those $5 piano lessons over a year’s time, Kathleen saved enough to take Mark and their kids on family vacations.
During her retirement years Kathleen volunteered in her neighborhood school to help at-risk children learn to read. She also volunteered as an election day poll worker for many years. She visited and brought meals to elderly homebound friends, and played bridge with a number of foursomes each week. She and her friend Jeanie Larkin frequented the fine arts in St. Louis as season ticket holders for the symphony, Muny, and varied theatre organizations. And she loyally followed her beloved St. Louis Billikens, Missouri Tigers and St. Louis Cardinals.
In addition to her husband Mark, Kathleen is survived by her son Kirk McAnany (Rachael) of Tulsa, OK, daughter Kellie Thomson (Alec “Curtis”) of Anchorage, AK, sister Elizabeth Clemensen of Lake St. Louis, brother Charles Eslinger of Kansas City, niece and goddaughter Janelle Meyers (Arthur “Trey”) and six grandchildren: Collin McAnany of St. Louis, Blake Stacy of Pasadena, CA, Mary Casey McAnany-Schuler (Drew) of Lowell, AR, Blair Bloom (Garrett) of Kansas City, KS, Liam Thomson and XinMei Thomson of Anchorage. She is preceded in death by her parents B. Everett Eslinger and Helen (McClernon) Eslinger, brother John Eslinger, and brother-in-law Michael Clemensen.
A memorial Mass honoring Kathleen will be held Friday, March 21 at noon, preceded by visitation at 10 a.m., at Mary, Mother of the Church, 5901 Kerth Road. In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests donations to the Friendship Village Sunset Hills Christmas Fund (to benefit the employees of Friendship Village) and to the American Lung Association.
Kathleen led an amazingly full life. I’m sure the good Lord welcomed her home with open arms saying “welcome home my faithful servant.!”
My condolences to the family.
We send our deepest condolences to you and your family at this time. We are sending our thoughts and prayers to you and your family.
I will never forget I was one of those kids that received piano lessons from Kathleen. Although I never was able to appreciate the piano I will remember her patience she showed me in trying to learn the art. The years passed and we lost touch, I am grateful she reached out to Sandy and I to once again to resume our connection from long ago.
Your mom was my music teacher and so much music of my childhood can be attributed to her. I will remember her fondly and keep her family and friends in my thoughts.
Kathleen’s birthday is next week. Helen Lombardo, Kathleen and I always celebrated our birthdays at lunch together. Our threesome is down to a “onesome”.
She will be greatly missed!
Mark it is so hard to believe this. I can’t imagine not having Kathleen around. She was a wonderful person and dear friend as you are also. So many good times. Know you and your family are in my prayers at this time and will continue to be. I know this is very hard on you but just know that I along with many others a card for you.
Hugs
God bless my beautiful friend. I will miss her beautiful smile and personality and positive view on life. I am so blessed to have met her here at Friendship Village.
Sincere condolences to all the family. I will prayerfully remember Kathleen and the entire family.
What a beautiful tribute to a phenomenal woman. May you walk with JESUS for all eternity.
Such a beautiful lady inside and out!
Her smile will be missed but Heaven gained another angel.
My deepest condolences to Mark, Kirk, Kelly and all her family and friends. Kathleen was a wonderful woman and she will be greatly missed. She and I had wonderful conversations and solved many of the world’s problems during her chemotherapy visits. I was honored to offer her Healing Touch during those visits. She was a woman of deep faith and I’m sure she was warmly welcomed by Jesus.
I would be at her Mass but will be out of town that day. I will keep all of your family in my prayers.
Mary O’Neill RN
Healing Touch Nurse
Sindelar Cancer Center
Mark, so sorry for your loss. prayers to you and your family, take care, George Kressaty
The residents of Friendship Village lost a wonderful gift in Kathleen McAnanny , truly an Angel in our midst. Her love, caring and compassion for others was second to none. We pray with deep sympathy, blessings, and guidance for all of the McAnanny’s and may they find strength and healing knowing that she is in heaven with our Savior.
A friend & wonderful person from high school & college. Love & best wishes to Mark & family.
Dear Mark and family,
Truly a significant loss, and what a real and beautiful partner you had for
61 years. She’s in a beautiful place now and we know she will forever enjoy the music around her. God bless you and your family.
Gene and Katy
To my most beloved idol my piano teacher thank you so much for teaching me my precious gift that allowed me to go on and play for many many people and still currently playing I will never forget you
Such a wonderful lady I’ll never forget the last hug I got from you It must have lasted 15 minutes My condolences to the whole family
Rest in peace, Sweet Kathleen!
Our deepest condolences to your family. Kathleen was a wonderful person. May she rest in the Lord’s eternal embrace.
May God hold you in the palm of his
Hands
Kathleen- what a smile! what a spark! We were lucky to have known her.
I loved music class with her at Assumption and especially enjoyed being in the choir. My fondest memory was singing Rainbow Connection or getting to use the little red books at church with all the fun songs. Thank you Mrs McAnamy – my deepest sympathy to the family.