With the greatest sadness and broken hearts, we announce the unexpected passing of our mother, Grandmother, great grandmother, aunt and friend, Esther Cromwell, who after a short illness , peacefully left this world surrounded by family on August 16, 2019 at Yarmouth Regional Hospital.
Mary Francis, forever known by her middle name Esther, was born in Weymouth Falls, the daughter of Burgess Francis and Violet (Cromwell) Francis and grew up with her sister and 3 brothers. She was a member of the St. Matthews Anglican Church. At the Age of 21 she married WWII veteran Harold Cromwell. They went on to have 5 children, and during their life moved to Sudbury Ontario, then back to Nova Scotia. In the early to mid sixties, they lived in Dartmouth then permanently moved back to Weymouth Falls living in Harold’s childhood home. Esther was a stay at home Mom. But when her youngest children became old enough to take care of themselves after school, she gained independence by taking a job in the clam factory in Digby and later in the fish plant down the French Shore. She really found herself when she got her drivers licence at the age of 40. In the 1970’s she was the coolest Mom because she drove some serious muscle cars. Esther was also a musician. She played the acoustic guitar and even wrote and sang her own songs.
Later in life, Esther enjoyed travelling around Nova Scotia with her eldest daughter Clara, she loved music festivals and jamborees. Their favorite spot to visit was Fox Mountain in Alysford Nova Scotia. Together they bought a golf cart and she absolutely loved driving around the camp grounds.
Esther will always be known for her extreme friendliness. She always thought of others before herself and treated everyone the same. Daughter Natasha would say “My mother taught me the proper way to shake hands. When appropriate, you grip like you mean it, like you are really glad to meet that person. So whenever I’m told I have a good grip, I say, you can think my mother for that. Anything you find nice about me, its’s because of her.”
Esther is predeceased by her husband Harold Cromwell, daughter Julia Cromwell, her parents Burgess and Violet Francis, her brothers Curtis and Vincent Francis, her sister Bertha Smith, grandson Zachery Cromwell, her best friend Pat Ayres. She is survived by brother Weldon Francis, daughters Clara Cromwell (Jim), Patricia Cromwell, Natasha Cromwell, son Bruce Cromwell, step daughter Linda Bailey (Fred), grandchildren Dominic, Tasha, Karlon, Tenesha, great grand daughter Haylee Murphy, step grandchildren Phillip and Dana, step great grandchildren Devon, Dylan, Bailey, Jaylynn and Rowe and several much loved nieces and nephews and cousins.
We would like to thank the staff, doctors and nurses at Yarmouth Regional Hospital who took such special care of our precious mother. They found her so nice and friendly which came natural to her and could not believe she was 90 years old. Your care for her will never be forgotten by her family.
Visitation will be limited to immediate family only or by invitation as per Esther’s request. Funeral will take place September 15, 2019 from Saint Matthew's Anglican Church, Weymouth Falls. Rev. Jean Austin presiding with interment to follow.
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