Esther Adams lived life to the fullest. She is probably looking down on all of us, sorry that she can’t give us the tight loving hugs that she was famous for, wondering why we’re making such a fuss, but happy that instead of mourning our loss, we are celebrating her life with a joyous event and continuing to tell stories about how she touched us, made us laugh, and enriched all of our lives.
She was beautiful, funny, feisty, and loving. She was generous beyond compare – not so much with material possessions but with her affection, warmth, and spirit. When Esther entered a room, you knew it: her smile and personality lit up that room and outshone even the brightest colors in her wardrobe.
Her passion for helping others extended beyond her immediate family and friends. She was everyone’s “mom” or “grandma”, and everyone from her neighbors to old coworkers to strangers she met walking her dog knew she was someone special.
She joined the military at age 18 and was stationed in San Diego at MCRD and made her mark by being the first woman in the U.S. Marine Corps to drive a jeep there – not a small feat for someone who was less than 5’ tall. Her stature did not match the other large accomplishments in her life: she raised three children, four grandchildren, was a teacher’s aide in a Special Education classroom for many years.
Esther is survived by son Jimmy, daughters Missy and Cindy, grandchildren Nick, Molly, David, and Eric (whom they affectionately called “Babbles”), best friend and Marine bud Mary, and a loving Bichon Frisée Marci. She is also survived by brother Earl, sisters Rosalie and Sylvia, and ex-husband Jim. There are countless others whom Esther considered her family – she was everyone’s biggest fan, and they were hers.
There will be a celebration of life on Sat., Oct. 26, 2013, at 3:30pm in Mission Bay Park, San Diego. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation to Rady Children’s Hospital Foundation that supports local San Diego children or any other charity that resonates in your heart.
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