Esther Herlihy Tecklenburg

September 5, 1928 — November 24, 2018

Charleston -- Esther H. Tecklenburg, 90, peacefully passed from this life on Saturday morning, November 24, 2018. She returns to her spiritual home after a beautiful life of service to her faith, community, and family. Esther was born in Brookline, Mass. on Sept 5, 1928, to the late Florence Hynes and Frederick W. Herlihy. The following year the Herlihy family moved south, as Mr. Herlihy pursued a career with Shell Oil Co. and in 1934 became a Shell distributor in Orangeburg, SC. Esther graduated from Orangeburg High School in 1945 and Trinity College (DC) in 1949. After college, Esther became a social worker and teacher in Charleston County and in 1950 married the late Henry C. J. Tecklenburg, Jr. They raised five sons: Henry, Fred, John, Paul and Michael.

Esther’s devotion to her Lord and the Roman Catholic church was palpable. Even in high school, she taught Sunday School and served as assistant organist at Holy Trinity parish. Throughout her life, she taught CCD (Catechism) and taught in parochial schools. She was a founder of Charleston Catholic School, served on the Diocesan Finance Council for over 20 years, and was president of the Charleston Catholic Women’s Club. In addition, she was on the board of Catholic Charities, a member of St. Vincent De Paul Society, was named SC Catholic Woman of the Year in 1997, and was awarded the papal honor of Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice by Pope John Paul II. While Esther professed to be one of the “little old ladies of the Cathedral” of St. John the Baptist, she was a mainstay of the parish over time serving as a Eucharistic Minister, playing organ at noon mass, sponsoring numerous faithful into the Church, and many other duties. She also served more delicious shrimp creole to the faithful priests and nuns and bishops of the diocese than can be imagined.

Esther’s lifelong service to her community, often helping the least of our brothers and sisters, was also driven by her profound faith in God. Notable, of course, was her elected service to the City Council of Charleston from 1980 to 1986, including her service as Mayor Pro Tempore of Charleston in 1981. Her overnight volunteering at the Cannon St “Y” shelter for the homeless, leading to the founding of Crisis Ministries, was a hallmark of her compassion. She also assisted Mayor Riley as an advocate for the revitalization of King St. (Charleston Place) and the creation of the Joseph P. Riley Jr. Waterfront Park. But her time on City Council was only a fraction of the lifetime of service she gave to her community and state, at various times serving as a board member of SC State College (now University), first lay member of the SC Medical Examiners Board, board member of Bon-Secours-St. Francis Xavier Hospital, Charleston County Substance Abuse Commission, and numerous other organizations. After the experience of raising and educating her deaf son Michael, Esther served on many speech and hearing advocacy groups and was a personal mentor to many parents and families of the deaf and hard of hearing. After the Orangeburg Massacre in 1968, she served on the Orangeburg Area Human Relations Committee, pursuing her heart’s commitment to social justice and racial reconciliation.

Esther’s devotion to her family was extraordinary, as a wife, mom, grandmother, great-grandmother, and aunt. Her husband Henry she dearly loved; theirs was a true marriage of equals, with devotion, respect and support flowing equally in both directions. After his passing, she missed him terribly, and their reunion must be joyful. Her love and attention to her five sons and extended family was incredible.

In addition to all the above, Esther was a gracious hostess, awesome cook, master gardener, tournament capable card player, and loved catching a fish or a crab. Edisto was a second home.

She is already immensely missed by all her family and friends.

Esther was predeceased by her parents, husband Henry, and brother Fred. She is survived by her brother Bobby (Elizabeth) Herlihy of Edisto Island, sister Florence H. Finley of Coronado, Ca., and sons Henry, Fred (Julie), John (Sandy), Paul (Cindy), all of Charleston, Michael, residing in Washington DC, adopted daughter Judy Sigler, and dear friends Carol and Jim Spehr. She is also survived by 12 grandchildren, 15 great-grands, many nephews and nieces, and countless friends.

Special thanks to caregivers for their loving care: Sylvia Capers, Jerrial Major, Charlotte Salters, and Tamilee Scott.

The family will receive friends between 4:30 PM and 6:30 PM Wednesday at the James A. McAlister Funeral Home, 1620 Savannah Hwy. The Rosary will be recited at 6:30 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 AM, Thursday, November 29, 2018, at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, 120 Broad St. The Rite of Committal will follow at St. Lawrence Cemetery.

Her family asks that in lieu of flowers, memorials be made to The Charleston Catholic School-Esther Tecklenburg Scholarship Fund, 888 King St, Charleston, SC 29403, or MUSC Children’s Hospital Fund, 59 Bee St. MSC 201, Charleston, SC 29425.

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