HOULTON – Frances Esty, 92, passed to eternal rest with her Lord April 30, 2007. She was born Sept. 9, 1915, in East Machias, the daughter of Francis Addi Gardner and Delia Ella (Ashley) Gardner. A 1933 graduate of Washington Academy, East Machias, and Bangor Maine School of Commerce, Frances taught school at Sherman High School, Sherman Mills, where she met and later married Kermit Russell Esty, who was the love of her life for nearly 67 years before his passing in 2005. Their union was blessed with a son, Gilbert Esty and his wife, Shirley, of Glendale, Ariz.; and daughters, Nancy and her husband, Shirley “Butch” Benn, of New Limerick and Delia “Dee” and her husband, William Bess, of Presque Isle. After raising her family, Frances returned to teaching at Houlton High School and completed her bachelor’s degree in business education at Husson College in 1970. Frances was a member of Houlton United Methodist Church, where she was active in the Rachel Circle and Quiet Quilters. She was also a former member of Houlton, Aroostook-Penobscot Pomona, State and National Granges, Town and Country Senior Citizens, Houlton Women’s Club and Houlton Extension. In addition to her children, Frances is survived by a brother, Arthur “Tart” Gardner of East Machias; granddaughters, Sheila Lake of Exeter, N.H., Tammie and her husband, Roger “Bud” Nichols of Santa Fe, Texas, and Janice and her husband, Gerard Pare, of Augusta; great-grand-children, Sarah, Daniel and Matthew Rowe of Exeter, N.H.; and several nieces and nephews. In addition to her husband, Frances was predeceased by her brother, Lawrence “Locky” Gardner; and sister, Virginia Mealey Judkins. There will be no visiting hours. A private family service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Scholarship Fund, Greater Houlton Christian Academy, care of Bowers Funeral Home, P.O. Box 579, Houlton, ME 04730.
FRANCES MINERVA (GARDNER) ESTY
