Annette W. Esterheld

Annette W. Esterheld, beloved wife, daughter, sister, mother, and grandmother, age 69, passed away on April 11th, 2017. Born Susan Annette Wilkinson on December 27th, 1947 in Pine Mountain Valley, Georgia. Annette studied piano at Jacksonville State in Alabama and received her master’s degree in journalism at the University of Georgia. She loved to play piano for family and church throughout her life. A student of liturgical studies, Annette was involved in Christian ministries; was the Liturgy Coordinator at St. Pius X Catholic Church in Bowie; and later was on the pastoral council, sang in the choir, and served as a lector at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church in Crofton. Annette had a lifelong passion for writing. She was a staff journalist for the Bowie Blade-News for several years, covering local politics and the city council. She also wrote features about charities and community organizations throughout her career, most recently for Crofton’s Living in the Triangle magazine. From 2008 to her passing, Annette was the Community Outreach Specialist for the City of Bowie, MD, where she managed the Bowie Playhouse and was involved with Bowiefest, the Bowie Center for the Performing Arts, and community art displays.   Annette married Jerry Esterheld in 1975. “She was my very best friend for 42 years,” says Jerry. Annette is also survived by her mother Catherine Parrish Wilkinson, her sisters Paula Wilkinson Skelton and Lynn Wilkinson, her brother William Wilkinson and his wife Martha, her children Michael Esterheld and his wife Heather, Katherine Thomas and her husband Daniel, and Kristina Esterheld and partner Robert Cooper, and four grandchildren, James, Nathan, Quinton, and Samantha Thomas.In lieu of flowers please consider donating to a memorial scholarship fund in honor of Annette through the City of Bowie, Maryland. Donations will supplement scholarships offered annually by the City to graduating high school seniors pursuing studies in arts-related fields.