Ester Espiritu Balatan Cater, MD, MPH, entered eternal rest on November 26, 2022, three days after reaching her 90th birthday, in New York City, surrounded by her children Nilo, Bobby, Terry, and daughter-in-law Melinda. She was brought back to Oklahoma, where she has been a resident for over 50 years. Her funeral mass will take place on December 3, 10:30 a.m., at St Joseph Catholic Church in Norman, followed by burial at St Joseph Catholic Cemetery. A vigil and visitation will take place on December 2 at Primrose Funeral Home from 5-8 p.m.
Born on November 23, 1932 in Nabua, Philippines, Ester was the eldest of five children of Rosenda and Gregorio Balatan. As a child during WWII, Ester learned to speak Japanese so she could serve as interpreter for her father, who was the mayor of Nabua, for his interactions with the invading army. During a period when the Japanese army was away, fearing they would learn of his true loyalty to the Americans, Mayor Balatan moved his family and some followers over the mountains to the seaside and founded a settlement that later became the town of Balatan, named in his honor.
Ester graduated from the University of Santo Tomas (UST) in Manila, obtaining an undergraduate degree and Doctor in Medicine (M.D.) in 1956. Until recently, she was in active contact with her living classmates through class emails and phone calls. They celebrated their 60th medical school graduation anniversary in 2016 in ceremonies in Manila and reunions in the U.S., where many live.
After graduation from UST, Ester practiced medicine in Nabua and then became director of clinical pathology at the regional public health office in Naga City. Active as an officer in the local medical associations, Ester met Nilo T Cater, MD, who she married and with whom she had four children. She spent one year as a World Health Organization (WHO) fellow at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center in Oklahoma City, during which she obtained a Masters of Public Health (MPH).
Ester eventually settled in Oklahoma with her family in 1971. She was a multi-tasker extraordinaire. Ester continued to work full-time as a physician while she and Nilo raised their children, instilling in them values of kindness, inclusiveness and collaboration. She continued to work into her late 70s. Ester and Nilo were founding members of the Philippine Medical Association of Oklahoma (PMAO), for which she served as president, business manager, and continuing medical education director. She helped organize PMAO medical missions to underserved regions in the Philippines. Ester was also active in the Philippine-American Civic Organization of Oklahoma. The Cater family has been involved in the church communities of both St Joseph and St Mark of Norman, being among the founding families of St Mark.
Ester had a life well-lived. She will be remembered fondly for lighting up a room with her smile and her encouraging, positive outlook, always making sure others felt included and part of her extended family. Ester could have written a book on human kindness but was too busy living it. She will also be remembered for her tenacity and boundless energy in leading many social activities for her family and friends; for being a beautiful dancer of all genres (other dancers would frequently pause to watch Nilo and her on the dance floor); for being a high-scoring karaoke singer; for her cooking, especially her adobo, lumpia, and Bicol express; and for being a world traveler up to the start of the pandemic.
Most of all, Ester’s unconditional love and guidance will continue to be treasured by her family who survive her: Nilo B Cater, MD of New York City; Constancio (Bobby) Cater, JD and Maricor Baltazar Cater of Arlington, VA; Terelyn Cater-Swaim and Christopher Swaim and son Barrett Gregorio Swaim of New York City; Melinda Eyler-Cater of Arlington, VA, widow of Gregorio (Gerry) Cater and sons Evan Cater of Brooklyn, NY and Geoffrey Cater of Arlington, VA. Ester is also survived by her brother and sister-in-law, Sergio E Balatan and Dr Josephine N Balatan of West Bloomfield, MI and their sons Sergio Jr of Silver Spring, MD and Joseph of West Bloomfield, MI and their families; and her late siblings’ children and families in the Philippines and Canada.
In lieu of flowers or gifts, the family requests donations be made to the following charities: the St Mark Sacrifice of Praise organ campaign: https://www.osvhub.com/st-mark-the-evangelist-church/giving/funds/sacrifice-of-praise-organ-campaign; the building fund of St Joseph: https://pushpay.com/g/stjosephsok; and the Catholic Charities of Oklahoma: https://catholiccharitiesok.org/memorial-gift
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