Esther Viola Buchanan

Esther Viola Buchanan, 101, passed away September 19, 2025, at Saint Anne Retirement Community in Fort Wayne, IN. She was born on January 4, 1924, in Fort Wayne, IN, the daughter of Joseph and Pearl (Hudnell) Mooney.

She graduated from Central High School in Fort Wayne in 1943, and deciding to do her civic duty, joined the United States Navy and proudly served her country during WWII from December 14, 1944, until May 16, 1946. She was employed at ITT/L3Harris and retired in the early 1990s.

Esther would marry Robert D. Girardot and have two children. They would divorce, and she would go on to marry Wayne Edward Cook in 1975, who would pass away in 1990. She then married her high school sweetheart Bill (Billy) Buchanan. They would stay married until Billy passed due to Dementia and Alzheimer’s.

Esther had 7 siblings whom have all preceded her in death: Joseph Mooney, Arthur Eytcheson, Pauline Eytcheson, Harold Eytcheson, Marjorie Eytcheson, Beatrice Mooney and Robert Mooney. She was also preceded in death by a daughter, Christie Dale Koontz, mother of Katrina (Anthony) DeHart and Kelly (José) Garcia who survive. She is also survived by a son, Timothy Alan Girardot, father of Timothy David Girardot.

Esther was grandmother to 3, great-grandmother to 9, and great-great-grandmother to 9.

Esther had the best sense of humor, was quick-witted and loved to laugh. She had a zest for life unlike anyone else in the world. She worked at a time when most women stayed home, she served her country proudly, divorced when most women stayed silent, was a hero to her granddaughters and a voice of strength and compassion. She was a woman that deserved all of the 101 years she got out of this life. She was a light in this world, and it is now dimmer without her.

Funeral services will be at 1:30 pm. Wednesday, September 24, 2025, at Saint Anne Home and Retirement Community, 1900 Randallia Drive, Fort Wayne, IN with visitation from 12:00 pm until time of service. Entombment with military honors at Greenlawn Memorial Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Honor Flight of Northeast Indiana.