It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of our kind, brave, caring and unimaginably generous wife, mother, aunt, sister, godmother, babysitter, and friend, Esther Helen Breitenbach.
Esther Helen Gordon was born in Detroit, Michigan on October 4th, 1924 to Raymond and Helen Gordon. She was the oldest of three children, and the only girl with brothers Sonny Gordon and Kenneth Stodor.
The love of her life was Peter Breitenbach. They met in Detroit and she followed him to Virginia Beach while he was in the service. They were married there on December 9th, 1943 and eventually headed back to Detroit to build their lives. In 1949, they built their house in Roseville and moved in at the beginning of 1950.
Over her 65 years in Roseville, Esther became a well-known fixture in town, highly involved in Sacred Heart Church, including the Sacred Heart Alter Society. She also gave Arbor Elementary School kindergarten's an introduction to the history of Roseville for years!
Family was ALWAYS Esther's #1 priority. It did not matter if you were her blood, if she considered you family she would do everything humanly possible to help or be there for you. She fostered & babysat countless children over the decades, some families for multiple generations!
Esther, Auntie, Grandma Esther, and/or E leaves behind countless loved ones. Including, but not limited to her son David Breitenbach; brother Kenneth Stodor; Godchildren: Dennis Gordon, Paula (William)Wyner, & Nicole (Kenny) Williams; Great-Great-Great Nieces/Nephews: Savanna King, Wyatt King, and Declan Williams; Great-Great Nieces Nicole (Kenny) Williams & Kristyna (Jim) King; Great Nephews, James and Raymond Gordon; Great Niece Kristen Breitenbach and Nephew Dennis Gordon.
Honorary family members-The Plewa/Pascoe Family; The Fionda/Resin/Capobianco/Posloski/McArthur/Vitale Families; The Taylor Family; The Closser Families; And countless others that came before.
A few fun facts about Esther: She saw Detroit Tigers games at Briggs Stadium (where she worked selling peanuts as a young lady), Tiger Stadium, and Comerica Park! She won Macomb County Volunteer of the Year in 2002.
The family will greet guests from 4:00pm to 8:00pm on Friday, January 5, 2024 at Kaul Funeral Home, 35201 Garfield Rd., Clinton Twp., Michigan.
Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 11:00am on Saturday, January 6, 2024 at St. Pio of Pietrelcina Catholic Church, 18720 13 Mile Rd., Roseville, Michigan. In State from 10:30am until time of mass. Interment following at Sacred Heart Cemetery, Roseville, Michigan.
Memorial Contributions may be directed towards Hospice of Lenawee or Lenawee Care Facility.
