Esther was a loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother who passed away peacefully in her home in Fresno, California on August 24. A lover of literature, music and dance; Esther would have been 97 this year.
Esther came from humble beginnings, growing up on a ranch in Fresno, her birthplace. As a member of the San Joaquin Memorial High School inaugural class she was the first student to graduate and walk across the stage in 1945.
Six years later, Esther was married to Leonard Wingert on January 1, 1951. The union lasted until their divorce in 1975. Together they raised three wonderful children. She spent much of her early adult life traveling with her husband and children as a military wife, before resettling in Fresno. She became an active member of the VFW Axillary and worked as an assistant librarian, at which she exceled immensely. When attempting to retire she became a highly sought-after substitute librarian.
Esther enjoyed entertaining and celebrating with loved ones. At every family reunion she wrote a poem about the importance of family and shared them aloud for all to hear. Esther loved to read and was an excellent cook like her mother before her. It was an honor for her to prepare meals for those she cared about.
After the children were grown, she remarried Alfred Mosqueda in 1978 and remained by his side until his passing.
Esther is preceded in death by her parents, Juan and Beatrice Borrego, her husbands, Leonard Wingert and Alfred Mosqueda, her son Gregory (Debra) Wingert and grandsons Eric Wingert and Ryan Hale.
She is survived by her son Steve (Mary) Wingert, daughter Renee (Larry) Darling. Her grandchildren Mick, Rachael, Gregan, Gracie, Gregory Wingert Jr., Leslie Hale and Erin Chapman. She is also survived by Eric’s daughter Allyson, Leslie’s son Louie, Ryan’s (Amanda) sons Joseph and Jayson, Erin’s children Jayden, Avery and Sammy, and Gregan’s (Phillip) children Phillip Jr. and Philosophy.
She is also survived by her sister Vera (Bernard) Garcia, and brother John (Toni) Borrego.
The name “Esther” means star and through her kindness and love of family she shown the brightest. She will be greatly missed.
The viewing and service will be held September 3 at St. Alphonsus Church, 351 E Kearney Blvd., Fresno, CA, 93706, beginning at 9 a.m. Followed by the burial at Saint Peter’s Cemetery, 264 N Blythe Ave., Fresno CA, 93706.
