Esther Jane Weidemeyer

Esther Jane Weidemeyer, beloved mother, foster mother, grandmother, sister, and friend, passed away peacefully on January 20, 2026, after a long and courageous journey with Alzheimer’s disease. She was 88 years old.

Born on November 26, 1937, in Rochester, New York, Esther was one of fourteen children born to Theresa and Alexander Nagy, both Hungarian immigrants. Growing up in a large, close-knit immigrant family helped shape the warmth, resilience, and deep sense of connection that defined her throughout her life.

Esther graduated from West Henrietta High School in 1956 and went on to pursue her lifelong calling to faith and service. In 1960, she graduated with a degree in Biblical Studies from Zion Bible Institute. She later earned professional certifications in nursing and airline operations, reflecting both her commitment to caring for others and her curiosity about the wider world.

A woman of unwavering faith, Esther was a lifelong member of the Assemblies of God Pentecostal Church. Her spirituality was not only something she professed but something she lived daily—through kindness, service, prayer, and a steadfast belief in God’s presence even in life’s hardest seasons.

Esther devoted much of her working life to caring for others. She served as a Licensed Practical Nurse both early and later in her career, bringing compassion and dignity to those she cared for. During the 1970s and early 1980s, she worked as a reservations agent for Braniff Airlines, an experience that opened the world to her. Through Braniff, Esther traveled extensively, including memorable trips to England, Germany, Hawaii, and Israel—journeys she treasured deeply.

Known for her outgoing and joyful spirit, Esther truly never met a stranger. She was social, fun-loving, and endlessly welcoming—someone who could strike up a conversation anywhere and make people feel instantly at ease. That same open heart led her to serve as a foster parent on and off throughout her life, opening her home and heart to children in need, one of whom she later adopted as her son.

Esther’s later years were marked by a 12-year battle with Alzheimer’s disease, a long goodbye that tested both her strength and the love of those who walked beside her. Even as memory faded, her gentle spirit and the impact of her life remained unmistakable.

She is survived by her son, Scott Weidemeyer, and his spouse, Miriam Henry; her adopted son, Scott Ray, his spouse, Ashley Ray, and their son, Landon Ray; along with many siblings, extended family members, and countless friends whose lives she touched.

A small family service will be held on Friday, January 30, 2025, at Mt. Moriah, Newcomer & Freeman Funeral Home.

Esther will be remembered for her deep faith, her servant’s heart, her love of people, and the way she made room for others wherever she went. Her legacy lives on in the lives she nurtured, the kindness she showed, and the love she freely gave.