Esther Diane Williams Pliss

Born on April 29, 1957, in Portland, Maine, Esther was the daughter of James H. Williams and Panorea (Rhea) Shamos Williams. She grew up in Portland and graduated from Deering High School. Childhood summers were spent at her family’s cottage on Higgins Beach, where she delighted in hanging from the rafters, searching for sand dollars, and playing in the tide pools.

Esther was an avid dancer, studying for many years at the Dorothy Mason School of the Dance, and at one point considered a career in dance. She went on to graduate from Tufts University with honors in Occupational Therapy. She began her career at Montefiore Hospital in New Jersey and later worked at the Einstein College of Medicine Hospital in the Bronx. After returning to Boston, she continued her work in community health agencies.

After the birth of her daughter, Maia, Esther moved to Osterville on Cape Cod and devoted herself to raising her. She often took trips to Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket and hosted her entire family for Thanksgiving each year.

Esther was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis at the age of 18 but never let it change who she was. Known for her bright smile and witty sense of humor, she met life’s challenges with courage, grace, and strength. As her mobility became more limited, her life remained centered on family and love.

A lifelong member of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Portland, Esther was deeply committed to her faith and heritage. Fluent in Greek, she took joy in teaching others Greek words. She was also an ardent fan of 1970s rock music—especially Linda Ronstadt, Rod Stewart, and The Beatles—as well as the comedy of Lucille Ball.

She is survived by her daughter, Maia Rebecca Pliss, and her fiancé, Patrick Rogowicz, of Winthrop, MA; her sister, Elisabeth D. Smith, and her husband, Judson D. Smith, of Portland, ME; her nephew, Jameson W. Smith, and his wife, Tiffany M. Bossie, of Cape Elizabeth, ME; and her cousins: Leta Dede of Portland, ME; Michael Shamos of Mexico; Elaine Shamos of Falmouth, ME; Joanne Schaufelberger of Chevy Chase, MD; and Philip Williams of Paramus, NJ. She was predeceased by her parents.

Esther’s legacy of fortitude, tenacity, kindness, and humor lives on in her daughter and in all who knew her.

Visiting hours will be held at Jones, Rich & Barnes Funeral Home on Wednesday, May 7, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. A funeral service will be held on Thursday, May 8, at noon at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, with burial to follow at Forest City Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 133 Pleasant St., Portland, ME, or to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

The family would like to thank Cathy Truscott Caouette, Grace MacDougall, Darlene Edgerly, Ferenc Sandor, and Efthalia Budri for the loving care they provided Esther over many years. They are also grateful for the excellent healthcare provided by Dr. Paul Muscat, Dr. Robert Fraser, Dr. Nina Trowbridge, and the Northern Light Visiting Nurses.

May her memory be eternal.