Esther Hang McKinley

Esther Ai-Hua Hang McKinley was born in Singapore to Rev. Paul Hang, Sr. and Rachel So Ging Ng in 1935. She spent her childhood days growing up in a shophouse with her many loving siblings, upstairs from the Hinghwa Methodist Church, where her father served as pastor to the local Hinghwa community. The Methodist Girls School in Singapore provided Esther a solid education in preparation for her future studies abroad. Esther came to America on a church scholarship to attend Scarritt College in Nashville, TN, went on to complete her master's degree at University of Buffalo, and then followed her lifelong calling as an elementary school teacher for decades in the Michigan public schools.

Esther met and married Bob McKinley while in Buffalo and they moved to Michigan, where they started a family and raised their children, Susan and Steve. Esther was a loving and caring mother not just to her own children, but also to the hundreds of children she nurtured in her classrooms over the years, and to the many Singaporean students who came to Michigan State University and ended up adoring her as their own "Aunty Ai" while they were so far from their homes and families. Of utmost importance throughout Esther's life was her devotion to, and close bond with, her parents, brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews and large extended family -- no physical distance could ever diminish Esther's vital presence in their lives and their presence in hers. Later in life, Esther moved to Austin and lived out her golden years enjoying her role as "Esthermom" to Steve, Pooja, Susan & Tim, and as Aunty Ai to a growing generation of Hang nieces and nephews.

Esther is survived by her daughter Susan Jed and husband Tim Jed; her son Steven McKinley and wife Pooja Varshney; her former husband and companion Bob McKinley; and her large group of extended family and friends.

A Memorial Service honoring Esther will be held at 2:00 PM on Sunday, August 4, 2019, at Westlake United Methodist Church.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to the National Kidney Foundation or the Asian Pacific American Women’s Association in Lansing, Michigan; both through www.charitynavigator.org