Esther Montalbano Cavaleri, aged 94, passed away peacefully in her sleep on Wednesday, August 18, 2021. A lifelong resident of Houston, Esther was born to Joseph A. Montalbano and Josephine C. Tantillo at St. Joseph Hospital on December 1, 1926.
She graduated from St. Agnes Academy and attended the University of Houston. Esther worked for seven years for the National Bank of Commerce until the birth of her children. Esther was a long-time member of the Amikitos Club and the Charity Guild of St. Joseph. She was also a member of St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church for over 64 years. Esther met Charles S. Cavaleri through mutual friends in Newark, New Jersey. They were married on October 3, 1948 and were blessed with two children.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Charles, her parents, brother, Anthony (Buddy) Montalbano and his wife Mary, aunt and uncle, Sam and Annie Bilao, cousins, James and Antoinette Letsos and Eugene and Gene Letsos, as well as Mary Ann Tantillo and Mary Ann Moritz. She is survived by her two children, Charles Joseph Cavaleri, Sr. and wife, Torie, Rosanne G. Musachia and husband, Sam and grandchildren Kristina Musachia, Sabrina Musachia, Charles Cavaleri Jr. and Alexander Cavaleri. She is also survived by cousins, Robert and Matthew Tantillo, and John Byrns and wife, Charlene.
Esther was devoted to the Catholic Church, her family, and her friends. She enjoyed sewing, painting, babysitting her grandchildren, and visiting her close friends in Sardinia, Italy. She was proud of the 3 generations of St. Agnes Academy graduates in her family. She graduated in 1945, her daughter, Rosanne in 1977, and granddaughters Kristina, 2009 and Sabrina, 2014. She was an example of faith and a loving and caring mom and grandmother.
Friends are cordially invited to a visitation with the family on Sunday, August 29, from 5 to 8 pm at Earthman Hunter’s Creek Funeral Home (8303 Katy Freeway) where recitation of the rosary will begin at 7 pm. Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 10 am on Monday, August 30, at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church. The Rite of Committal will follow at Forest Park Lawndale Cemetery in Houston.
Memorial contributions may be directed to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.
The family wishes to thank the staffs of Belmont Village Assisted Living Community, Treemont Retirement Community Health Care Center, and Houston Hospice.
