April 7, 2011

LOWVILLE, N.Y.   —  Funeral services for Esther Gingerich, 96, will be held Monday April 11, at 10:30 AM  at the Croghan Mennonite Church  with the Rev’s. Evan Zehr, Kyle Widrick and Loren Widrick officiating. Burial will follow in the Croghan Mennonite Cemetery. Calling hours will be on Sunday from 5- 8 PM at the church. 

She died Thursday afternoon at the Lewis County Residential Healthcare Facility where she had resided since May of 2010.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Adirondack Funeral Home, Croghan. To leave a message of condolence, please visit www.adirondackfh.com.

Esther was born August 23, 1914, in Lancaster, Pa. the daughter of Christian and Cora Allison Zimmerman. She attended school in Lancaster.  She married Andrew Gingerich May 21, 1944 in Lancaster, PA. Rev. Gingerich died February 21, 2010.

In 1939 Esther graduated from Preston Retreat Nursing School in Philadelphia, PA. Until her marriage, she worked as a private duty nurse for many families in the Lancaster area. Following her marriage, she fulfilled her role as a pastor’s wife through her gifts of hospitality, entertaining, teaching, encouraging, and loving people.

She enjoyed quilting, gardening, cooking, travelling, entertaining and spending time with family.

She is survived by a daughter and her husband, Lois and Durwood Bast, Willow Street, PA; three sons and their wives, Willard and Alina, Queens, NY; Hubert and Mary Ellen, Ellisburg; and David and Norma, Fort Collins, CO. She also has 11 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins.

Besides her husband, she is predeceased by her siblings, Jake, Paul and Dorothy.

In place of flowers, Esther and her family request memorial donations may be made to Sonlight Missions Lacolline Inc., PO Box 83, Castorland, NY 13620 for Haiti relief or Beaver Camp 8884 Buck Point Rd. Lowville, NY 13367.

Information provided by Adirondack Funeral Home and Newzjunky, Watertown, N.Y.