Esther Momoe Ando passed away on Friday, the 11th of January, 2019 at the age of 94. She was born December 23, 1924 in Hitchcock, Texas the 8th of 8 children born to Kumahachi Ando and Nami Uno Ando. Her parents came to the United States in 1904.
Esther graduated from East Texas Baptist College (now East Texas Baptist University) in 1946. While a student, she worked different jobs on campus to help with the tuition including serving in the cafeteria. She was very studious but also made time to volunteer for the public library. She was involved in the B.S. Mathematics Council, B.S.U. Council, Student Council, Honor Society, Y.W.A., Who’s Who Among American Universities and Colleges and was the Editor-In-Chief of the “Compass Staff” publication. She often told her family that ETBU prepared her well for her future and that the faculty and students protected her from the harshness of World War II and never made her feel unwanted. She graduated with a double major in Chemistry and Mathematics and served as a lab assistant to Dr. E. Frank Stinson throughout her studies, earning 27 cents an hour! She graduated at the top of her class and was awarded many honors, including “Most Intellectual Girl". After graduation, Dr. Stinson helped her get a job teaching math and chemistry as a valued professor for a few years before later joining Shell Oil Company. She worked for Shell until her retirement in 1987. Esther was the 2nd generation and the last sibling of her parents’ generation that immigrated from Japan to America. She is predeceased by her parents and all her siblings: Kiyo, Minoru (Mino), Will (Bill), Roy, Irene, George, and Tomomi (Tom).
Esther Ando’s mother and father were Baptist before they came to the United State and her parents raised the 8 children in the church. It is no doubt that Esther was a Baptist from the day she was born until the day she went home to the Lord.
Esther Ando worked for Shell Oil Company for over 30 years and was immensely proud and loyal to the Company. She was very proud of what Shell Oil Company did, not only in Houston, but for the Company’s accomplishments in the world. Yet, at the same time, Esther was a strong environmentalist and supported causes that focused on reducing the negative effects of climate change.
Esther Ando also had a strong interest in the stock market. With the help of her brothers she began investing in the stock market in the 1950’s and developed a successful secondary career as an independent investor. Using her keen mathematical skills she would develop elaborate spreadsheets manually (this was before the wonders of technology) to analyze the market. She was indeed a very independent woman and was ahead of her time.
Esther Ando was also a life-long Democrat and was very supportive of Jimmy Carter’s involvement with the Habitat for Humanity Organization. She developed a friendship with President Carter after he left office and he called her each year on her birthday. President Carter would always remind her that she was younger than he – he was just a few months older. When we would inquire about their talks, she would say they just talked about everyday things.
Esther Ando always supported equal rights and was adamant about voting for Obama. She would tell us that she never thought she would live long enough to see a black President. She was so proud and waited hours to vote for him.
Esther Ando never married but she was a wonderful and generous aunt who enjoyed her family and was involved in the lives of all her nieces and nephews: Royce Jane Glaze, Robert Keith Ando (deceased), Donna Lieberman, Robert Ando, Roxanne Ando, Vera Ando-Winstead, Mary Jane Henson, Willa Mae Wiebe, Betty Jean Valencia, Esther Nami O’Keefe, and Margaret Cerda. She has been an inspiration for all of us.
In total, Esther Momoe Ando made the world a better place and she will be deeply missed by all her family.
The family is deeply appreciative of the wonderful care and support given to our beautiful aunt from caregivers, Lillian Adams and Alma Dealing; nurses, Matilda and Ola; and most recently, Tasha McBride. We are forever grateful for their compassion and caring.
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