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Lois Christine Bennett Eskdale

Lois Christine Bennett Eskdale of Bokeelia, as well as Leland, N.C., and formerly Avon-by-the-Sea, N.J., died at the age of 70 at Brunswick Hospice Care Center, Bolivia. She was born Oct. 6, 1943, to Earl Jack Bennett Sr. and Lois Luepke Bennett, now deceased, of Bricktown, N.J., while stationed in Paris, Tenn., during World War II.

She graduated from Upsala College of East Orange, N.J., in 1965 and went on to teach sophomore English for the Toms River School Systems. She later met and married Donald A. Eskdale in 1967 and in 1969 their daughter, Kim, was born. After 32 years of teaching, she retired from Toms River High School North in June 1997. Throughout her teaching career she shared her wisdom and life lessons with nearly 10,000 students. Many of her former students and past coworkers have stayed in touch with her over the years.

Just two days after her retirement and divorce from Don Eskdale, she moved to Wilmington, N.C., to be near her beloved daughter, Kim. She later met and married former Wilmington resident, Ashley H. Carr Jr., in December 2004. They became permanent Florida residents, however, they traveled seasonally between Florida and North Carolina.

She had a passion for gardening, often referring to it as her therapy. She was also very active and fit, walking two miles a day and training daily with weights until her illness. She was very dedicated to health and fitness. She had also for a time became very active in the youth group at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Wilmington, N.C. Much time was invested in helping the youth.

She fought a tremendous battle with her latest cancer. She regarded it as something else she would overcome as she had conquered so many other cancers and illnesses that had started back in January 2002. She will be remembered and missed dearly by her family and friends.

She is survived by her husband, Ashley H. Carr Jr.; daughter,r Kim Haines and son-in-law, Chris; former husband and best friend, Donald A. Eskdale; sister, Janice Baugher; niece, Nicole Baugher Murdock and her two daughters, Jordan and Kayla; nephews, Keith Baugher, Earl Jack Bennett III, Robert Bennett; and niece, Marcella Kelly.

She was predeceased by her brother, Earl Jack Bennett Jr.

Her final wishes were to not have a funeral service, however there will be a celebration of her life planned by her daughter in the fall in New Jersey.

In lieu of flowers or memorial gifts, the family wishes that donations be made to Brunswick Hospice Care Center (Lower Cape Fear Hospice), St. Judes Children’s Hospital or Wounded Warriors.