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Ester Soriano Obituary
APRIL 6, 1946 TO APRIL 3, 2008
Ester was born on April 6, 1946 in Santa Paula, California and attended Briggs Elementary and Santa Paula High School (class of '64). She graduated from Whittier College in 1968. She worked for the County of Los Angeles for 37 years, most recently as the grants administrator for the Los Angeles County Dispute Resolution Program. She was recognized nationally for her professional contributions. Dedicated to social causes, Ester was a founding member of several service groups, including the Search to Involve Pilipino Americans (SIPA), the Asian American Drug Abuse Program (AADAP), and the Pacific Asian Consortium in Employment (PACE). She was a fixture at Pan Pacific Park/West Wilshire Recreation Center where she volunteered on many children's sports teams from 1987 to 1999. Ester was known for her liveliness, sense of humor and enthusiasm. She was preceded in death by her husband Raymond Hewitt and leaves behind their three sons Eduardo, Robert and Eric Soriano-Hewitt of Los Angeles; siblings Emily Dietrich of Rialto, David Soriano of Ventura, Virginia Soriano of Los Alamitos; numerous extended family and countless friends. Services will be held Saturday, April 19 at the First AME Church Los Angeles with arrangements by Angelus Funeral Home. Details are posted at Caringbridge.org/visit/estersoriano
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Memories and Condolences
for Ester Soriano
Fernaundra Ferguson
May 14, 2008
Ester was a dear friend and colleague. I miss her and will be forever greatful for her season in my life.
Catherine Powell
May 13, 2008
I knew Ester for a very brief period of time, but was tremendously impressed by her genuiness and energetic spirit. She will be missed. We are all blessed to have known and met her.
Agna Pang
April 28, 2008
She made an indelible impression on everyone she came into contact with. In all her roles -- mother, wife, sister, aunt, daughter, activist -- she engaged her whole self. We are all better off that Ester touched our lives.
Cynthia (Chivers) Chapman
April 28, 2008
I remember Ester as being a very energetic team mom. Our kids played sports together at West Wilshire Recreation Center, and on ocassion, I would run into Ester at L. A. City Attorney Dispute Resolution Program functions over the years. She once gave my sons a puppy we named Destiny. Saddened to read of her passing. She was the definition of a People Person. God be with the family.
Janice Fleischer
April 24, 2008
I was honored to get to know Esther while serving with her on the SPIDR Board of Directors. We laughed, gossiped and giggled together. Her spirit, energy, intelligence and kindness were infectious. She was quick with a hug and a helping hand. I will miss her and am grateful to have seen her at the last ACR meeting to get a hug and catch up since we had last met. My deepest sympathies to her family and the mediation community.
Tim Hedeen
April 24, 2008
Ester will forever be among the warmest, funniest, and energetic people I've had the pleasure of knowing. I was proud to work alongside such a dynamic and caring person. What an inspiration!
Sharon Press
April 24, 2008
Ester was one of a kind - her spirit and enthusiasm for mediation and the professional associations SPIDR and ACR were infectious. All her knew her were enriched by her life. I will miss her smile but know her spirit will remain with us all. My sincerest sympathies.
Carol Gillette Hanners
April 22, 2008
I remenber her smiles and laughter. I am saddened by her passing and send my prayers and good thoughts to her sons and family.
Sally (Longshore) Maher
April 21, 2008
Ester and I were good friends at Briggs and SPUHS. Although we were no longer in touch, she was never far from my thoughts. In fact, just this last Christmas I was telling my family about our good times at her house, my house and at the beach. I am saddened by her death and realize that we should keep our friends closer.
Mary Jean Guizar
April 21, 2008
I remember Ester from high school--she was always energetic and volunteering to work on various projects for Girls League and Student Council. She had "Team Spirit" galore!! I admire her life well lived, however short, and her selflessness. My sincere condolences to her family.
Mary Jean (Ramirez) Guizar
Harold and Nancy Goosby
April 19, 2008
Our prayers are with you in this most difficult time. May God bless and keep you. Love, Harold and Nancy Goosby
Barbara Powell-Patton
April 19, 2008
I was shocked and saddened to hear of Ester's passing. She was a wonderful person and I will remember always how witty and clever and full of laughter she was.
Marilyn Hilton
April 19, 2008
When I think of Ester, I see a smiling face and remember her as a bundle of energy ready for fun.
Donald Murphy
April 19, 2008
We are sadden by Ester's passing. Knowing her through our best friend, her sister Emily, Ester was always a delight to be around her. She made her life very helpful to others, she will be remembered in every one's heart.
Don & Shirley Murphy in Colorado
Olivia Cobos-Garcia
April 19, 2008
I have to remember the funniest time I spent with Ester. Three of us high school girls had not been asked to the prom. So on prom night we drove to Ventura to Tony's, got the biggest pizza we could get, a six pack of coke and went out to the beach. We ate ourselves silly and sat there and laughed until it hurt too much to laugh any more !
Sylvia Garcia Castro
April 18, 2008
May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well-lived.
JOHNNY JAMES
April 18, 2008
May the Lord be with you during your time of need. Ester was a very dear friend and will be truly missed.
"Peace be still"
Lauretta Staley
April 18, 2008
I'll always remember Ester's vibrant spirit and quick wit. I am saddened to learn of her passing.
Don Galloway
April 18, 2008
She was a very fine employee and a great person.
Anita Garmon-Hensley
April 18, 2008
My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
Judi Hoxsie Minitello
April 18, 2008
Please accept my deepest sympathies.
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