Obituary of Esther Williams

Esther Regina Williams of Camrose passed away on Sunday, January 14, 2018 at the age of 101 years. Esther Regina Anderson was born September 7, 1916 at Kathyrn, Alberta to Oscar and Svea Anderson. Oscar and Svea had emigrated from Sweden to Canada and by the time of Esther's birth, the Anderson farm at Kathyrn was well established. Another daughter, Olga, and two sons, Cecil and Walter, completed Oscar and Svea's family. Esther had a happy childhood on the farm. A particularly strong bond was formed with her two brothers, a bond that lasted for all of their lives. Esther had the encouragement of her parents and the motivation from within herself to pursue education. From the one-room Hawthorne school (built by her father) to Mount Royal College in Calgary to Olds Agricultural College to University of Alberta in Edmonton, Esther's education journey had many stops. Along her way, Esther also worked as a teacher, a vocation at which she excelled. At Olds College, Esther met fellow student Larry Williams in 1937. It is fair to say that Larry was almost instantly smitten with Esther. Esther took much longer to become equally smitten with Larry. After Larry's five years of service with the Canadian Army during WWII, Esther and Larry were married in Edmonton on September 10, 1946. Esther left her job as Alberta's first permanent District Home Economist as she and Larry started their family together, first in Sedgewick and, from 1954, in Camrose. A daughter, Marian, and two sons, John and Lloyd, were born to Esther and Larry. Darlene Newell joined Esther's family when she married John. Julie and Amy's arrival allowed Esther to become "Grandma", a role Esther relished. Julie's marriage to Adam Driemel brought great-grandsons Morris and Oscar to Esther's extended family. Amy's marriage to Patrick Obleman completed Esther's family with great-granddaughters Violet and June. Daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, student, teacher, friend, mentor, lady, neighbour, aunt, godmother, cousin, citizen - Esther touched all who knew her. Throughout her life, she was a beacon of enveloping love and kindness. Those who knew Esther were better people for knowing her. Remember Esther through the love she gave you, the Swedish heritage she proudly shared with you, the food she cooked for you, the lessons that she taught you, the flowers she grew for you, and the inspiration she instilled within you. The family would like to thank Esther's special caregivers Isabel Casionan, Charlene, and Chaess Baclayon, who became cherished members of her family. A Funeral Service was held at 11:00 a.m., Monday, January 22, 2018 from Camrose United Church with Rev. Liz Carter-Morgan officiating. Inurnment has taken place in the Camrose Cemetery. If family and friends so desire, memorial contributions to the Camrose United Church, the Battle River Community Foundation (Larry & Esther Williams Fund), or to the charity of one's choice would be welcomed.