Esther Potter Zaff

Esther (Potter) Zaff, age 50, of Newton, on Saturday, May 14, 2022. Beloved wife of Jonathan F. Zaff. Loving and adored mother of Gabriella and Eliana. Cherished daughter of Sarah (McSorley) Potter & the late John Potter and daughter-in-law of Dale (Borks) Zaff & the late Arnold Zaff. Dear sister of Jonathan and Naomi. Special aunt to her nieces and nephews.

Esther has left a powerful legacy for her family, friends, and all those who knew her. Her wit, wisdom, and profound compassion made them laugh, made them think, made them act. She was never afraid to take on an issue and, in her pursuit to create a better world for all those around her, always ready to change minds when those minds needed to change. Her ability to inject humor, a truly witty perspective, and more than a wee bit of snark, into her writing, her conversations, and her relationships brought a deep and everlasting sense of joy to those around her. Whether co-producing her daughter’s school musical (and making each and every costume) or cheering from the sidelines of her daughter’s soccer games. Whether hanging out with friends on her back deck or chatting with friends at a pre-COVID bar. Whether writing about a famous singer’s jacket or writing her next opinion piece. She loved life and she inspired everyone around her to love life more because of her.

Most importantly for her, she was a passionate, loving mother. Gabriella and Eliana were her everything, and she always wanted, first and foremost, to be known and now remembered as their Mama. To be remembered as Jonathan’s wife. As Sarah and John’s daughter. And as Naomi and Jonathan’s sister. She believed that she lived life by standing on the shoulders of giants. To her family and countless friends throughout the world, we know that we have always been standing on hers.

Services at Temple Shalom, 175 Temple Street, Newton on Thursday, May 19 at 11:00AM. Masks are required. Burial at Beit Olam East, Wayland MA. Shiva will be private.

In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to the Zaff Family Fund at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, P.O. Box 849168, Boston, MA 02284, www.dana-farber.org