Aileen Lois Escher
July 12, 1936 - May 11, 2023
Leucadia, CA ---
Aileen Escher was born Mary Lou Shaw on July 12, 1936, in Windsor, Ontario, Canada.
She was soon adopted by Hilda (North) (from England) and Adam (from Scotland) Laidlaw of Pontiac, MI. The magical moment happened when Adam leaned over baby Aileen, and she grabbed onto his finger.
They named her Aileen Lois Laidlaw.
Soon, they decided to move to San Diego.
Aileen first attended the private Warren-Walker school in Point Loma, where she skipped a grade.
Aileen loved to tell the story of when she was seven years old and became the youngest person to become a naturalized citizen in San Diego history at the time. The judge at the proceeding asked her, "Do you think you could grow up to become President someday?" Little Aileen answered, "No, but I could become Mrs. Roosevelt."
She moved on to Mission Beach Elementary, then on to La Jolla Jr/Sr High School, where she graduated in 1953. During high school and college, Aileen worked at her parent's restaurant, the Garnet Cafe, in Pacific Beach. Aileen was the Honored Queen of the La Jolla Bethel of Job's Daughters for 1952-53.
In 1953, Aileen and her parents traveled to England on the Queen Mary and witnessed the festivities for Queen Elizabeth II's coronation. They returned to the US on the Queen Elizabeth.
Aileen went on to attend San Diego State, majoring in art, and married her first husband. Then, Douglas happened.
Aileen left SDSU and devoted her life to being a wife and raising Douglas and Jaynie, who was born two years later.
Aileen was 100% devoted to her family, including her parents, who lived in the adjacent duplex unit they built on the corner of 8th & Stratford in Del Mar in 1958 (excellent decision!).
When the kids weren't across the street at elementary school, Baba (Adam) took care of them while Aileen worked at Nana's (Hilda) business, Mrs. Laidlaw's Chicken Pies, near the Del Mar Fairgrounds.
Aileen, always the frugal housewife, was a skilled seamstress who would create clothes for young Douglas and Jaynie on her faithful Singer sewing machine. She was also an expert coupon clipper! And she was active in the Del Mar Elementary School PTA, participating in many shows and fundraisers.
Baba, who had heart issues (Camel cigs), passed away a couple of days before Douglas' birthday in 1964.
The Heflin family moved to a 3-bedroom home in then-rural east Leucadia in 1966, so the kids could have their own bedrooms. On the first day that Mom was at the house alone, she witnessed a cow running across the front yard, followed in the street by a pickup truck with a guy swinging a lasso.
Welcome to the country!
Aileen was the most devoted "housewife" imaginable. Besides being an amazing cook (from authentic burritos to a leftovers-filled "whim-wham"), and the most loving and supportive mom, she was also fierce.
On one occasion in the early years of living in the Leucadia house, a rattlesnake had meandered into the kitchen. Mom got a shovel and chopped off its head! The mark on the linoleum floor remained for years until new carpet was installed.
When it was time for sixth grade camp week at Palomar Mountain, Aileen wrote letters to Douglas ahead of time and throughout the week so that he would receive mail each day he was away.
Aileen's devotion to her children continued through their school careers, including preparing a balanced breakfast every day before the school day!
Aileen's loving mother, Hilda, passed away in 1974 after years of bravely battling colon cancer.
In 1977, Aileen married her soul mate, Tim Escher, an Orange County Sheriff's deputy based at Dana Point, who she got to know during a motorcycle driving course. She really enjoyed their motorcycle trips through California, Arizona, Nevada, and Utah. Aileen and Tim were inseparable, and their love and support of each other was obvious.
Eventually, Jaynie had her own children, Eddie and Lindsay. Aileen and Tim were very loving and involved grandparents. Their favorite activity was to take the young grandchildren on camping trips with their trailer.
Whether at local County campgrounds or national parks throughout the western U.S., they would have fun fishing and roasting marshmallows over bonfires when they weren't seeing the sights.
Their trips included visiting Zion, Yosemite, the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, and Bryce Canyon national parks.
Aileen and Tim generously offered Doug a loan so that he could purchase his first condo in San Marcos, setting him off on a lifestyle that allowed him to later purchase a beautiful home in Vista. He will be forever grateful for this gesture and the many opportunities it opened up.
Aileen valiantly fought through numerous medical procedures, just a sign of the fighter within that she would tap into when Alzheimer's started to invade seven years ago.
Tim's devotion to Aileen after Alzheimer's began to take hold was amazing. When it became obvious that Aileen would no longer be able to be taken care of at home, she moved to the Olivenhain Guest Home (now Ranch View Encinitas) for assisted living in February 2021. Aileen and her family are very grateful for the care and love provided by the caregivers. For a year or so, she was known as "the walker" by frequent visitors, as she would take it upon herself to keep moving, including when she needed to use a walker, by cruising around the beautiful large patio area and throughout the facility, flashing her beautiful smile whenever she saw anybody. The family is also grateful for the invaluable assistance provided by Advantage Hospice and its wonderful staff.
Aileen passed away peacefully in her sleep on the morning of May 11, 2023, at the age of 86.
Nobody deserves to be attacked by the heinous Alzheimer's. Many people have experienced the heartbreaking slow deterioration of a loved one... We all know how very, very hard it is to witness. Yet, up until the end, Aileen was still present. Though she could not speak much at all, she could communicate through her loving smiles, the sparkle in her eyes, and holding hands.
The family is grateful that Aileen was able to leave this world knowing that we love her and will take care of each other. Aileen was laid to rest at Greenwood Cemetery on June 1, 2023.
Aileen is survived by her husband, Tim Escher of Leucadia; son, Douglas Heflin of Vista; daughter, Jaynie Stecker (Jeff) of La Costa; grandson, Eddie MacPhee of San Diego; granddaughter, Lindsay Arvanitis (Nick) of San Marcos; great-grandsons, Tommy, Owen, Gavin, and Cooper Arvanitis; and great-grandson, Gregory MacPhee.
Aileen's family is grateful for everyone's support, kind words and thoughts, and love.
Published by San Diego Union-Tribune on Jun. 4, 2023.
July 12, 1936 - May 11, 2023
Leucadia, CA ---
Aileen Escher was born Mary Lou Shaw on July 12, 1936, in Windsor, Ontario, Canada.
She was soon adopted by Hilda (North) (from England) and Adam (from Scotland) Laidlaw of Pontiac, MI. The magical moment happened when Adam leaned over baby Aileen, and she grabbed onto his finger.
They named her Aileen Lois Laidlaw.
Soon, they decided to move to San Diego.
Aileen first attended the private Warren-Walker school in Point Loma, where she skipped a grade.
Aileen loved to tell the story of when she was seven years old and became the youngest person to become a naturalized citizen in San Diego history at the time. The judge at the proceeding asked her, "Do you think you could grow up to become President someday?" Little Aileen answered, "No, but I could become Mrs. Roosevelt."
She moved on to Mission Beach Elementary, then on to La Jolla Jr/Sr High School, where she graduated in 1953. During high school and college, Aileen worked at her parent's restaurant, the Garnet Cafe, in Pacific Beach. Aileen was the Honored Queen of the La Jolla Bethel of Job's Daughters for 1952-53.
In 1953, Aileen and her parents traveled to England on the Queen Mary and witnessed the festivities for Queen Elizabeth II's coronation. They returned to the US on the Queen Elizabeth.
Aileen went on to attend San Diego State, majoring in art, and married her first husband. Then, Douglas happened.
Aileen left SDSU and devoted her life to being a wife and raising Douglas and Jaynie, who was born two years later.
Aileen was 100% devoted to her family, including her parents, who lived in the adjacent duplex unit they built on the corner of 8th & Stratford in Del Mar in 1958 (excellent decision!).
When the kids weren't across the street at elementary school, Baba (Adam) took care of them while Aileen worked at Nana's (Hilda) business, Mrs. Laidlaw's Chicken Pies, near the Del Mar Fairgrounds.
Aileen, always the frugal housewife, was a skilled seamstress who would create clothes for young Douglas and Jaynie on her faithful Singer sewing machine. She was also an expert coupon clipper! And she was active in the Del Mar Elementary School PTA, participating in many shows and fundraisers.
Baba, who had heart issues (Camel cigs), passed away a couple of days before Douglas' birthday in 1964.
The Heflin family moved to a 3-bedroom home in then-rural east Leucadia in 1966, so the kids could have their own bedrooms. On the first day that Mom was at the house alone, she witnessed a cow running across the front yard, followed in the street by a pickup truck with a guy swinging a lasso.
Welcome to the country!
Aileen was the most devoted "housewife" imaginable. Besides being an amazing cook (from authentic burritos to a leftovers-filled "whim-wham"), and the most loving and supportive mom, she was also fierce.
On one occasion in the early years of living in the Leucadia house, a rattlesnake had meandered into the kitchen. Mom got a shovel and chopped off its head! The mark on the linoleum floor remained for years until new carpet was installed.
When it was time for sixth grade camp week at Palomar Mountain, Aileen wrote letters to Douglas ahead of time and throughout the week so that he would receive mail each day he was away.
Aileen's devotion to her children continued through their school careers, including preparing a balanced breakfast every day before the school day!
Aileen's loving mother, Hilda, passed away in 1974 after years of bravely battling colon cancer.
In 1977, Aileen married her soul mate, Tim Escher, an Orange County Sheriff's deputy based at Dana Point, who she got to know during a motorcycle driving course. She really enjoyed their motorcycle trips through California, Arizona, Nevada, and Utah. Aileen and Tim were inseparable, and their love and support of each other was obvious.
Eventually, Jaynie had her own children, Eddie and Lindsay. Aileen and Tim were very loving and involved grandparents. Their favorite activity was to take the young grandchildren on camping trips with their trailer.
Whether at local County campgrounds or national parks throughout the western U.S., they would have fun fishing and roasting marshmallows over bonfires when they weren't seeing the sights.
Their trips included visiting Zion, Yosemite, the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, and Bryce Canyon national parks.
Aileen and Tim generously offered Doug a loan so that he could purchase his first condo in San Marcos, setting him off on a lifestyle that allowed him to later purchase a beautiful home in Vista. He will be forever grateful for this gesture and the many opportunities it opened up.
Aileen valiantly fought through numerous medical procedures, just a sign of the fighter within that she would tap into when Alzheimer's started to invade seven years ago.
Tim's devotion to Aileen after Alzheimer's began to take hold was amazing. When it became obvious that Aileen would no longer be able to be taken care of at home, she moved to the Olivenhain Guest Home (now Ranch View Encinitas) for assisted living in February 2021. Aileen and her family are very grateful for the care and love provided by the caregivers. For a year or so, she was known as "the walker" by frequent visitors, as she would take it upon herself to keep moving, including when she needed to use a walker, by cruising around the beautiful large patio area and throughout the facility, flashing her beautiful smile whenever she saw anybody. The family is also grateful for the invaluable assistance provided by Advantage Hospice and its wonderful staff.
Aileen passed away peacefully in her sleep on the morning of May 11, 2023, at the age of 86.
Nobody deserves to be attacked by the heinous Alzheimer's. Many people have experienced the heartbreaking slow deterioration of a loved one... We all know how very, very hard it is to witness. Yet, up until the end, Aileen was still present. Though she could not speak much at all, she could communicate through her loving smiles, the sparkle in her eyes, and holding hands.
The family is grateful that Aileen was able to leave this world knowing that we love her and will take care of each other. Aileen was laid to rest at Greenwood Cemetery on June 1, 2023.
Aileen is survived by her husband, Tim Escher of Leucadia; son, Douglas Heflin of Vista; daughter, Jaynie Stecker (Jeff) of La Costa; grandson, Eddie MacPhee of San Diego; granddaughter, Lindsay Arvanitis (Nick) of San Marcos; great-grandsons, Tommy, Owen, Gavin, and Cooper Arvanitis; and great-grandson, Gregory MacPhee.
Aileen's family is grateful for everyone's support, kind words and thoughts, and love.
Published by San Diego Union-Tribune on Jun. 4, 2023.
Aileen Lois Escher
July 12, 1936 - May 11, 2023
Leucadia, CA ---
Aileen Escher was born Mary Lou Shaw on July 12, 1936, in Windsor, Ontario, Canada.
She was soon adopted by Hilda (North) (from England) and Adam (from Scotland) Laidlaw of Pontiac, MI. The magical moment happened when Adam leaned over baby Aileen, and she grabbed onto his finger.
They named her Aileen Lois Laidlaw.
Soon, they decided to move to San Diego.
Aileen first attended the private Warren-Walker school in Point Loma, where she skipped a grade.
Aileen loved to tell the story of when she was seven years old and became the youngest person to become a naturalized citizen in San Diego history at the time. The judge at the proceeding asked her, "Do you think you could grow up to become President someday?" Little Aileen answered, "No, but I could become Mrs. Roosevelt."
She moved on to Mission Beach Elementary, then on to La Jolla Jr/Sr High School, where she graduated in 1953. During high school and college, Aileen worked at her parent's restaurant, the Garnet Cafe, in Pacific Beach. Aileen was the Honored Queen of the La Jolla Bethel of Job's Daughters for 1952-53.
In 1953, Aileen and her parents traveled to England on the Queen Mary and witnessed the festivities for Queen Elizabeth II's coronation. They returned to the US on the Queen Elizabeth.
Aileen went on to attend San Diego State, majoring in art, and married her first husband. Then, Douglas happened.
Aileen left SDSU and devoted her life to being a wife and raising Douglas and Jaynie, who was born two years later.
Aileen was 100% devoted to her family, including her parents, who lived in the adjacent duplex unit they built on the corner of 8th & Stratford in Del Mar in 1958 (excellent decision!).
When the kids weren't across the street at elementary school, Baba (Adam) took care of them while Aileen worked at Nana's (Hilda) business, Mrs. Laidlaw's Chicken Pies, near the Del Mar Fairgrounds.
Aileen, always the frugal housewife, was a skilled seamstress who would create clothes for young Douglas and Jaynie on her faithful Singer sewing machine. She was also an expert coupon clipper! And she was active in the Del Mar Elementary School PTA, participating in many shows and fundraisers.
Baba, who had heart issues (Camel cigs), passed away a couple of days before Douglas' birthday in 1964.
The Heflin family moved to a 3-bedroom home in then-rural east Leucadia in 1966, so the kids could have their own bedrooms. On the first day that Mom was at the house alone, she witnessed a cow running across the front yard, followed in the street by a pickup truck with a guy swinging a lasso.
Welcome to the country!
Aileen was the most devoted "housewife" imaginable. Besides being an amazing cook (from authentic burritos to a leftovers-filled "whim-wham"), and the most loving and supportive mom, she was also fierce.
On one occasion in the early years of living in the Leucadia house, a rattlesnake had meandered into the kitchen. Mom got a shovel and chopped off its head! The mark on the linoleum floor remained for years until new carpet was installed.
When it was time for sixth grade camp week at Palomar Mountain, Aileen wrote letters to Douglas ahead of time and throughout the week so that he would receive mail each day he was away.
Aileen's devotion to her children continued through their school careers, including preparing a balanced breakfast every day before the school day!
Aileen's loving mother, Hilda, passed away in 1974 after years of bravely battling colon cancer.
In 1977, Aileen married her soul mate, Tim Escher, an Orange County Sheriff's deputy based at Dana Point, who she got to know during a motorcycle driving course. She really enjoyed their motorcycle trips through California, Arizona, Nevada, and Utah. Aileen and Tim were inseparable, and their love and support of each other was obvious.
Eventually, Jaynie had her own children, Eddie and Lindsay. Aileen and Tim were very loving and involved grandparents. Their favorite activity was to take the young grandchildren on camping trips with their trailer.
Whether at local County campgrounds or national parks throughout the western U.S., they would have fun fishing and roasting marshmallows over bonfires when they weren't seeing the sights.
Their trips included visiting Zion, Yosemite, the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, and Bryce Canyon national parks.
Aileen and Tim generously offered Doug a loan so that he could purchase his first condo in San Marcos, setting him off on a lifestyle that allowed him to later purchase a beautiful home in Vista. He will be forever grateful for this gesture and the many opportunities it opened up.
Aileen valiantly fought through numerous medical procedures, just a sign of the fighter within that she would tap into when Alzheimer's started to invade seven years ago.
Tim's devotion to Aileen after Alzheimer's began to take hold was amazing. When it became obvious that Aileen would no longer be able to be taken care of at home, she moved to the Olivenhain Guest Home (now Ranch View Encinitas) for assisted living in February 2021. Aileen and her family are very grateful for the care and love provided by the caregivers. For a year or so, she was known as "the walker" by frequent visitors, as she would take it upon herself to keep moving, including when she needed to use a walker, by cruising around the beautiful large patio area and throughout the facility, flashing her beautiful smile whenever she saw anybody. The family is also grateful for the invaluable assistance provided by Advantage Hospice and its wonderful staff.
Aileen passed away peacefully in her sleep on the morning of May 11, 2023, at the age of 86.
Nobody deserves to be attacked by the heinous Alzheimer's. Many people have experienced the heartbreaking slow deterioration of a loved one... We all know how very, very hard it is to witness. Yet, up until the end, Aileen was still present. Though she could not speak much at all, she could communicate through her loving smiles, the sparkle in her eyes, and holding hands.
The family is grateful that Aileen was able to leave this world knowing that we love her and will take care of each other. Aileen was laid to rest at Greenwood Cemetery on June 1, 2023.
Aileen is survived by her husband, Tim Escher of Leucadia; son, Douglas Heflin of Vista; daughter, Jaynie Stecker (Jeff) of La Costa; grandson, Eddie MacPhee of San Diego; granddaughter, Lindsay Arvanitis (Nick) of San Marcos; great-grandsons, Tommy, Owen, Gavin, and Cooper Arvanitis; and great-grandson, Gregory MacPhee.
Aileen's family is grateful for everyone's support, kind words and thoughts, and love.
Published by San Diego Union-Tribune on Jun. 4, 2023.
July 12, 1936 - May 11, 2023
Leucadia, CA ---
Aileen Escher was born Mary Lou Shaw on July 12, 1936, in Windsor, Ontario, Canada.
She was soon adopted by Hilda (North) (from England) and Adam (from Scotland) Laidlaw of Pontiac, MI. The magical moment happened when Adam leaned over baby Aileen, and she grabbed onto his finger.
They named her Aileen Lois Laidlaw.
Soon, they decided to move to San Diego.
Aileen first attended the private Warren-Walker school in Point Loma, where she skipped a grade.
Aileen loved to tell the story of when she was seven years old and became the youngest person to become a naturalized citizen in San Diego history at the time. The judge at the proceeding asked her, "Do you think you could grow up to become President someday?" Little Aileen answered, "No, but I could become Mrs. Roosevelt."
She moved on to Mission Beach Elementary, then on to La Jolla Jr/Sr High School, where she graduated in 1953. During high school and college, Aileen worked at her parent's restaurant, the Garnet Cafe, in Pacific Beach. Aileen was the Honored Queen of the La Jolla Bethel of Job's Daughters for 1952-53.
In 1953, Aileen and her parents traveled to England on the Queen Mary and witnessed the festivities for Queen Elizabeth II's coronation. They returned to the US on the Queen Elizabeth.
Aileen went on to attend San Diego State, majoring in art, and married her first husband. Then, Douglas happened.
Aileen left SDSU and devoted her life to being a wife and raising Douglas and Jaynie, who was born two years later.
Aileen was 100% devoted to her family, including her parents, who lived in the adjacent duplex unit they built on the corner of 8th & Stratford in Del Mar in 1958 (excellent decision!).
When the kids weren't across the street at elementary school, Baba (Adam) took care of them while Aileen worked at Nana's (Hilda) business, Mrs. Laidlaw's Chicken Pies, near the Del Mar Fairgrounds.
Aileen, always the frugal housewife, was a skilled seamstress who would create clothes for young Douglas and Jaynie on her faithful Singer sewing machine. She was also an expert coupon clipper! And she was active in the Del Mar Elementary School PTA, participating in many shows and fundraisers.
Baba, who had heart issues (Camel cigs), passed away a couple of days before Douglas' birthday in 1964.
The Heflin family moved to a 3-bedroom home in then-rural east Leucadia in 1966, so the kids could have their own bedrooms. On the first day that Mom was at the house alone, she witnessed a cow running across the front yard, followed in the street by a pickup truck with a guy swinging a lasso.
Welcome to the country!
Aileen was the most devoted "housewife" imaginable. Besides being an amazing cook (from authentic burritos to a leftovers-filled "whim-wham"), and the most loving and supportive mom, she was also fierce.
On one occasion in the early years of living in the Leucadia house, a rattlesnake had meandered into the kitchen. Mom got a shovel and chopped off its head! The mark on the linoleum floor remained for years until new carpet was installed.
When it was time for sixth grade camp week at Palomar Mountain, Aileen wrote letters to Douglas ahead of time and throughout the week so that he would receive mail each day he was away.
Aileen's devotion to her children continued through their school careers, including preparing a balanced breakfast every day before the school day!
Aileen's loving mother, Hilda, passed away in 1974 after years of bravely battling colon cancer.
In 1977, Aileen married her soul mate, Tim Escher, an Orange County Sheriff's deputy based at Dana Point, who she got to know during a motorcycle driving course. She really enjoyed their motorcycle trips through California, Arizona, Nevada, and Utah. Aileen and Tim were inseparable, and their love and support of each other was obvious.
Eventually, Jaynie had her own children, Eddie and Lindsay. Aileen and Tim were very loving and involved grandparents. Their favorite activity was to take the young grandchildren on camping trips with their trailer.
Whether at local County campgrounds or national parks throughout the western U.S., they would have fun fishing and roasting marshmallows over bonfires when they weren't seeing the sights.
Their trips included visiting Zion, Yosemite, the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, and Bryce Canyon national parks.
Aileen and Tim generously offered Doug a loan so that he could purchase his first condo in San Marcos, setting him off on a lifestyle that allowed him to later purchase a beautiful home in Vista. He will be forever grateful for this gesture and the many opportunities it opened up.
Aileen valiantly fought through numerous medical procedures, just a sign of the fighter within that she would tap into when Alzheimer's started to invade seven years ago.
Tim's devotion to Aileen after Alzheimer's began to take hold was amazing. When it became obvious that Aileen would no longer be able to be taken care of at home, she moved to the Olivenhain Guest Home (now Ranch View Encinitas) for assisted living in February 2021. Aileen and her family are very grateful for the care and love provided by the caregivers. For a year or so, she was known as "the walker" by frequent visitors, as she would take it upon herself to keep moving, including when she needed to use a walker, by cruising around the beautiful large patio area and throughout the facility, flashing her beautiful smile whenever she saw anybody. The family is also grateful for the invaluable assistance provided by Advantage Hospice and its wonderful staff.
Aileen passed away peacefully in her sleep on the morning of May 11, 2023, at the age of 86.
Nobody deserves to be attacked by the heinous Alzheimer's. Many people have experienced the heartbreaking slow deterioration of a loved one... We all know how very, very hard it is to witness. Yet, up until the end, Aileen was still present. Though she could not speak much at all, she could communicate through her loving smiles, the sparkle in her eyes, and holding hands.
The family is grateful that Aileen was able to leave this world knowing that we love her and will take care of each other. Aileen was laid to rest at Greenwood Cemetery on June 1, 2023.
Aileen is survived by her husband, Tim Escher of Leucadia; son, Douglas Heflin of Vista; daughter, Jaynie Stecker (Jeff) of La Costa; grandson, Eddie MacPhee of San Diego; granddaughter, Lindsay Arvanitis (Nick) of San Marcos; great-grandsons, Tommy, Owen, Gavin, and Cooper Arvanitis; and great-grandson, Gregory MacPhee.
Aileen's family is grateful for everyone's support, kind words and thoughts, and love.
Published by San Diego Union-Tribune on Jun. 4, 2023.
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