Wincie "Liz" Elizabeth Hendricks Esch's Obituary
Wincie Elizabeth Hendricks Esch departed this life on September 17, 2022, in Fayetteville, Arkansas. She was born on July 12, 1969, to Wincie Buckner Hendricks and Jerry Patrick Hendricks in Fort Smith, Arkansas. A kinder soul the world will never know. Just like her mother Wincie before her, she was humble and gentle. No unkind word about others passed her lips. She always looked for the positive and best in everyone and everything. Liz was more importantly a mother, sister, aunt, and friend to all that knew her.
Liz attended Immaculate Conception Elementary, Chaffin Junior High, and Southside High Schools. She graduated with a degree in Business Administration with a minor in entrepreneurship from the College of the Ozarks in Clarksville, Arkansas in 1993. She married and was blessed with two beautiful children Caroline and Dylan, who were the absolute joy of her life. The family settled in Northwest Arkansas in 2004 where they found their forever home. In that same year, Liz began with the Botanical Garden of the Ozarks in Fayetteville where she was the first employee and remained until 2019. It was at the “Botanical Garden” that Liz found her passion and niche for non-profit organizations and their impact on the Northwest Arkansas Community. Liz launched Chefs in the Garden, Greening of the Garden, and Arts in the Garden, which became signature events at the Botanical Garden even to this day. Most recently she worked with other nonprofits, including the Community Creative Center. Northwest Arkansas has lost a kind, passionate human being in the community that always strived to make it a more special place.
Liz was preceded in death by her parents, Wincie Buckner Hendricks, and Jerry Patrick Hendricks. She is survived by her children Caroline Esch (Matt Baker) of Conway, Arkansas and Dylan Esch (Sarah Darschewski) and granddaughter due in October, Esmeralda Rose of Bentonville; brother, Andy Hendricks (Annie) and their children Emma Holden (Grant), Rachel and Andrew Hendricks, and great niece Sally of Fayetteville, Arkansas; sister, Angie Upchurch (Greg) of Fort Smith and their son, Patrick Upchurch (Whitney), and great nephew Warren of Fayetteville; sister, Julie Stec (David) of Fort Smith, and their children, Nicole Phillips (Zac), great niece and nephew, Annette and Dane Phillips of Alma, and April Richardson (Kyle) and great niece, Florence Richardson of Fort Smith, and special friends, Christine Cook and Denise Cavins.
The Rosary and visitation will be on Wednesday, September 21, 2022, at 5:00pm at Moore’s Chapel with the visitation to follow immediately following the Rosary until 7:00 pm.. The Mass celebrating Liz’s life will be on Thursday September 22, 2022, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church at 10:00am. There will be a celebratory reception following at the Botanical Garden of the Ozarks. Liz will be buried at Calvary Cemetery in Fort Smith, Arkansas at 3:30pm.
In lieu of flowers, donation may be made to Liz’s team for the Walk to END Epilepsy or to The Botanical Garden of the Ozarks.
Liz’s team- Follow link to donate- https://donate.epilepsy.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=donordrive.team&teamID=12180&fbclid=IwAR3JynFnH86zbBms9uI_bBmIvBHBVEMbt1vyyYJfs4UXDLB5GSIaTY0KPi4
Botanical Gardens of the Ozarks- Follow link to Donate- https://www.bgozarks.org/give/memorial-gifts/
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