Alice Louise McCaffrey Esten, age 94, beloved mother, grandmother, and aunt, passed away on December 11, 2019, at the home of her daughter and son-in-law, Amelia (Amy) and John Ryan, with whom she lived for the past ten months.
Alice was born in South Bend, Indiana, on March 12, 1925, but grew up in Ottumwa, Iowa, and Chicago, Illinois.. Alice attended Hyde Park High, where her favorite subjects were English and Civics. She graduated in the spring of 1942 and attended Wilson Junior College for two years before joining the Cadet Nursing Corps and becoming an RN. After graduating from St. Luke's nursing school in 1947, she worked at Downey VA hospital. In 1948 Alice married a young architect and Navy vet, Harold (Hal) Esten, and they settled in the Maryland suburbs of DC.
Alice and Hal lived in the same house - with alterations - for 59 years. She had many wonderful friends in those years. She was like a second mother to the neighborhood children, always ready with apple juice and a smile. Although she was a medical copy editor for many years, she kept up her nursing license and volunteered for 25 years at the MobilMed clinic for low-income families, as well as at the senior center.
She loved singing with children and grandchildren and had a joyful, grateful spirit.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 65 years, Harold L. Esten; her beloved sister, Mary Molner; and her parents. She is survived by her three children - Dora Esten and Hugh Esten (Margaret Crane) of Los Angeles and Amelia Ryan (John) of Fresno - and five grandchildren.
A memorial service and reception will be held at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Fresno, 2672 E. Alluvial on Saturday, January 11, at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, please make a charitable donation. 

Stephens and Bean Funeral Chapel

Alice Esten

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Alice Louise Esten

12 March, 1925 – 11 December, 2019

Stephens and Bean Funeral Chapel

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