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LEE - Deborah (Blossom) Estaver, 85, of Lee passed away peacefully, Nov. 14, 2012, at her home of 60 years in Lee, N.H. She was born in Boston, Mass., on March 27, 1927. Deb was the daughter of the late Harold Hill Blossom, a Boston landscape architect, and Louise Barnes (Thompson) Blossom, a professional nurse. Raised in the Boston area, she spent summers on Cape Cod and maintained a fond love of the cape and its environment. After graduating from Roslindale High School (1943), she attended Boston University receiving her bachelor's degree in 1947 and master's degree in 1949. She continued her postgraduate education at B.U. from 1953-1964.
After marriage, Deb and her husband moved to Fairfield, Maine, where she taught English at Lawrence High School from 1949-1951. From 1951-1952, Deb taught at Newburyport High School in Newburyport, Mass. For the remainder of her career, she taught at Oyster River High School in Durham, N.H., where, initially, she was the only high school English teacher. Even years after her retirement Deb often heard from her numerous students and without hesitation corrected any of their grammar or spelling errors. During the early 1950s, Deb also contributed many articles to New Hampshire Profiles magazine.
Deb had a lifelong concern for the environment and its well being and was instrumental in the creation of the Joseph P. Ford Wildlife Sanctuary in Lee. She loved cats, dogs and all creatures of the woods. A dedicated supporter of women's rights, she never hesitated to express how life should be. She craved the chance to share her political views at any and all times. However, the one thing she was the most passionate about was her enjoyment of novels and literature. After retirement, she consumed books the way most people breathe.
She is survived by her sister, Eleanor B. Fisher of East Orleans, Mass., as well as her seven nieces, one nephew, and numerous cousins. She was preceded in death by her longtime friend and companion Joe Ford of Lee, N.H.., her brother Dr. Thomas Blossom of Virginia Beach, Va., and her two sisters Elizabeth Blossom of New York City and Margaret B. Coffin of Auburndale, Mass.
A graveside memorial service in her honor will be held at a later date.
Donations in her memory may be sent to NHSPCA, 104 Portsmouth Ave., Stratham, NH 03885 or the Joan G. Lovering Heath Center, 559 Portsmouth Ave., Greenland, N.H. 03840.
Visit www.kentandpelczarfh.com to sign an online guest book. Visit www.fosters.com/obits for an online guest book.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Mrs. Estaver was a superb teacher, and a kind and generous person. That's the way I remember her from a distance of 50 years and I'm sure many others agree. Sympathies to the family.
Elaine Emlet-Burroughs
November 27, 2012
MRS.ETAVER... MY UNORTHODOX HIGH SCHOOL ENGLISH TEACHER WHO THROUGH WEEKLY ESSAYS OPENED MY EYES TO LIFE...
SANDRA EVANS
November 19, 2012
a great teacher with a wit and fond love of good poetry. Bless you Deborah
Mark Bouchard
November 19, 2012
Deb was not only my teacher in high school but a good friend as well. I have been lucky enough to spend a lot of time with her in the last year or so and I never got tired of her politics or opinions or book critiques. I'll definitely miss her; she was one of a kind.
Jennifer Parks
November 19, 2012
I've known Deb for 37 years, first as my colleague in the English department at Oyster River High School in Durham, NH,and since then as my friend. Always a force to be reckoned with, Deb did not suffer fools gladly. Loyal, honest, and generous, she enjoyed discussing books and politics. Another friend and I took her out to lunch often after she retired, and then when she became pretty much house bound, we would go to her home for delicious repasts including lobster rolls and lethal chocolate goodies. I will miss her strong voice, no nonsense approach to life, and sometimes mordant humor.
Liz Whaley
November 19, 2012
I never had Ms. Estaver for a teacher but, she did leave a lasting impression. She was always friendly and kind, and I personally never received anything but a kind word from her. She had a wonderful sense of humor and definitely a unique fashion sense! She will go on in my memory. My you find a warm day with a gentle sun, a big tree casting a comforting shade and a good book to read.
John Sylvester
November 19, 2012
My sympathies to the family. Ms Estaver taught me back in the early 70s and likely influenced my career move into the field of editing.
November 18, 2012
Offering our deepest condolences at this difficult time.
The Staff of Kent & Pelczar Funeral Home
November 19, 2012
Condolences and the best memories of a very kind and decent teacher.
Mark Trafton
November 16, 2012
Mrs. Estaver was my high school English teacher. Who can ever forget that whimsical look in her eyes? She was always a fashion plate, and had a clever wit. My sincere sympathies to her family for their profound loss.
Susan Edwards-Rowlett
November 16, 2012
Deborah Estaver was my english teacher at ORHS and gave me a profound appreciation of literature.
Gerlinde Pichler Nosek
November 16, 2012
Deborah Estaver was my high school English teacher back in the mid seventies. She was the best English teacher I had. There were not too many teachers that challenged me but she did! Thanks Ms. Estaver. May your memory be eternal.
November 16, 2012
Deborah Estaver was my English teacher at Oyster River High in 1958. She told three of us students to forget our last year of high school and just go to college. She changed my life infinitely for the better. I graduated from Stanford University in 1962, married a graduate student. We have 3 grown children. I obtained master's and PhD degrees and am currently a research professor at Scripps Institution of Oceanography in La Jolla, CA. I am forever grateful to Deborah Estaver.
Linda Zimmerman Holland
November 16, 2012
Our sincere condolences.
The Homemakers Health Services
November 16, 2012
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Kent & Pelczar Funeral Home & Crematory77 Exeter Road (Route 108), Newmarket, NH 03857
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