Esther Paul Duncan

October 14, 1924 - December 13, 2013

It is with love and much sadness we announce the passing of our beloved mother, Esther Duncan at the age of 89 on December 13, 2013.

She will be lovingly remembered by her three children, Elaine (Delmer) Duncan, Vernon, B.C.; Donna Cunningham, Mackenzie, B.C.; Darrell (Vivian) Foulston, Wynyard, Sask.; 8 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren as well as 2 stepchildren, Norman (Lenore) Duncan, Kelowna, B.C.; Larry (Millie) Duncan, Killiam, Alta.; 9 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; sisters Zella (Harlan) Beibeck, Lincoln, Nebr. and Marina Atkinson, Bethune, Sask.; sisters - in- law, Lois Paul and Gladys(Bill) Ernst. She was predeceased by her parents, her ex-husband, Gordon; and husband Herbert and 5 brothers.

Esther was born on a farm near Findlater, Sask. to Charles and Annie Paul, the first girl after 3 boys. She attended Canadian Union College in 1944 for her grade twelve year. She returned home and then attended Normal School in Moose Jaw, Sask. Her first teaching position was at Winfield with grades1-10 at a little country school near Eyebrow, Sask. In 1957 she made the move to Findlater to teach grades 1-10 again. She taught there until she moved to Bethune to teach grade 1 for the next 20 years. Teaching reading was her passion and she always said every child she taught could read when they left her classroom. As she hadn’t finished her education, she took a leave of absence and finished her Bachelor of Education in 1977.

When she retired in 1987, she volunteered for teaching in church school in BC for 3 years. She moved to Kelowna, B.C. when she married Herbert Duncan in 1993. They took many trips to the U.S.A. and through Alberta and Saskatchewan, taking pictures and visiting family and friends. They both loved flowers and their yard was beautiful with all the flowering shrubs, perennials, bulbs and annual flowers that were planted every year.

Esther always planted amaryllis bulbs every fall as gifts for friends and family.

You always went home with some goodies when you visited. She loved to bake especially cookies. She tried to teach her granddaughters to make apple pie.

Esther was a very special lady. She loved her family, spending every holiday and vacation with them in BC. In 1982 she traveled with Elaine, Delmer and 3 kids in a truck and camper to California for a month! Esther and Herb also vacationed with Darrell and Vivian and children at Yellowstone National Park. As the grandchildren had children she was so happy to have them visit and also to see those 15 great-grandchildren grow. The oldest is now 19 and the youngest is 3 months.

Her grandsons talk about her sporty cars with mags, spoilers and 2 door sport coupes. Her granddaughters talk about how she dressed, always very nice clothes, shoes, purses and hats to match.

Esther will be missed by her family as well as the large network of friends she had. She will be remembered for her love and her support of family and her faith in God.

A memorial service will be held at the Rutland Seventh-day Adventist Church, Hwy 33 and Gertzmar road on Wednesday Dec. 18, 2013 at 3pm. In lieu of flowers, a donation in Esther’s name may be made to It is Written, Canada or the charity of your choice.

Arrangement have been entrusted to Valleyview Funeral Home, Kelowna, BC.

250-765-3147