WILMINGTON — Esilda Acosta Kempton, 93, died Saturday, June 8, 2019.
She was born July 21, 1925, in Valparaiso, Chile, South America, the daughter of Phillip Acosta and Bertha Condell Acosta.
Blinded by an accident, she traveled to the United States on the first international flight from Lima, Peru, to the United States to seek medical treatment to restore her sight. She had numerous operations, but none were successful. Not to be defeated by this, she was in the first graduating class of the Seeing Eye Dog Academy. She went on to become an x-Ray technician and worked for the United Hospital in Rockland County, New York.
In 1958, she married Donald Kempton; together, they raised three sons. She founded the Social Club for the Blind in Rockland County, New York, and they provided workshops to train the visually impaired different skills. She made sure that the club held a monthly social which included entertainment, refreshments and free transportation so everyone would feel included. This was supported by 14 different Lions clubs as well as many other volunteers.
She and her husband retired to Carolina Beach in 1971, where she opened a craft shop called the Hobby House and also worked as an x-ray technician for Cape Fear Memorial Hospital.
In her later years, she enjoyed taking care of her grandchildren and eventually settled in Castle Hayne, where she enjoyed visiting with family and friends and enjoying her dog, Tiny.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Donald, and is survived by her three sons, Dean Kempton of Wilmington, Danny Kempton of Rocky Point and Larry Kempton of Southport, their spouses and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
A graveside service will be held at 3 p.m., Tuesday, June 11, at the Mausoleum Chapel at Greenlawn Memorial Park.
“When my life is over, don’t be sad, be glad. My life has been rich and full of love. Live your lives so that we will all be together again in heaven someday. I love each of my sons, Dean, Danny and Larry and their families with all my heart.
Share online condolences with the family at Andrews Mortuary & Crematory.
