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Esther Yant

1936 - 2017

Esther Yant obituary, 1936-2017, Greensburg, PA

BORN

1936

DIED

2017

FUNERAL HOME

Kepple-Graft Funeral Home

524 North Main Street

Greensburg, Pennsylvania

Esther Yant Obituary

Esther (Andrews) Yant, of Greensburg, died Thursday, Nov. 9, 2017, after a short illness. Esther was born Nov. 29, 1936, in San Diego, Calif. During her childhood, she lived in Caracas, Venezuela and Bogota, Columbia while her father was employed there as a petroleum geologist. She graduated from Boulder High School in Colorado, and then attended the University of Wyoming, graduating from University of California, Davis with a degree in English literature. While Esther originally wanted to be a journalist, early experience editing the society pages convinced her that teaching was a better fit for her warm and giving nature. She found her true vocation teaching English language and American culture, first to Vietnam refugees in the 1970s, and then to immigrants and expatriate wives. She co-founded the International Women's Group at the Greensburg YWCA, which is in its 25th year of the Cooking, Conversation and Culture program. Over the years, Esther helped hundreds of people assimilate to the United States, drawing on her own experiences as a teenager moving from South America to the States. Many of these families kept in close touch, even decades later. In addition to working as an ESL teacher, Esther was active with the Sunday school program at Christ Church, Greensburg, teaching there for almost 50 years. Esther was an energetic and caring mother to her three children, Suzanne (Jeff) Cohodes, Sara (Don) Belt and David (Kelli) Yant. She prioritized independent learning, and encouraged children's projects even when it led to a kitchen full of dirty dishes or a yard strewn with woodworking tools while a DIY tree fort was under construction. She was an active participant in the lives of her 10 grandchildren, Joe, Zakk, Melanie and Madeline Cohodes, Victor and Laurel Sipe and Drew, Jacob, Ben and Gabe Yant. She attended concerts, sporting events and graduations, and she often was mistaken for the mom when she took her grandchildren on outings to the park. Esther met the love of her life, Howard West Yant, while she was a student at the University of Wyoming. Although he was interested in mountain climbing and her outdoor adventures were, to that point, equestrian based, they found common ground in a love of the outdoors and the West. Esther and Howard shared many happy memories during their 58 years of marriage, including yearly summer vacation trips back to Wyoming with their children and grandchildren. Esther was preceded in death by her parents, Philip Andrews and Sara Champion Andrews. She is survived by her sisters, Mary Marquardsen and Margaret Moked.
Family and friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday at the KEPPLE-GRAFT FUNERAL HOME, 524 N. Main St., Greensburg. Services will be held at 10 a.m. Monday at Christ's Church, 145 N. Main St., Greensburg. Private interment will be in the Unity Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Memorial Fund of Christ Church, 122 N. Maple Ave., Greensburg, PA 15601. For online condolences and information, please visit www.kepplegraft.com.

Published by Tribune Review from Nov. 11 to Nov. 12, 2017.
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Memories and Condolences
for Esther Yant

Not sure what to say?





I found this when I was finishing up my Christmas mail. What I shock! Howard, I am going to email you at Esther's address, since I do not have your current Greensburg
home address. Last time I talked to Esther, she said you had downsized.
Please let me know if you get my email.

Carolyne Garman

January 20, 2018

Esther was a lovely person and always greeted me with a smile and made me feel very welcome when I attended several of the International Women's Group meetings. I instructed a couple of art classes for the IWA and enjoyed working with the women, I believe we had a fun time. This gave me a better understanding of how hard it is for people of various cultures to come to a different country and learn the language and customs.

I thank you Esther for this opportunity and I will miss you and your kindness.

Paula Schutte, Greensburg PA

Paula Schutte

November 16, 2017

Riana Liptak

November 13, 2017

My Dear Esther, you were definitely one of those people that touched many hearts. You will always be remembered by the good acts of your life. I, personally, thank You for your support and your help and your dedication to all the immigrants that come here to this country. My condolences to your family
- Rosa Giordanelli and family

Rosa Panza

November 11, 2017

Esther,


You were a great person you will be in my thoughts and prayers always.

Thank for all your help, love, understanding, support...

I am going to miss you

Solimar Iorio (Ricca)

November 11, 2017

I am so sorry! Esther was one of the kindest and most gracious persons I've ever met. She truly lived her faith, both in words and in deeds. I will always remember her with great fondness. My condolences to her family.

Gloria Harrison

November 10, 2017

Esther, You will always live through your dedication to the YWCA International Group. Your light will always shine bright through the lessons you have taught us such as making all people feel welcome as well as for all your kindness and caring as you gathered people together. Betty Hammer

November 10, 2017

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Memorial Events
for Esther Yant

Nov

12

Calling hours

2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Kepple-Graft Funeral Home

524 North Main Street, Greensburg, PA 15601

Nov

12

Calling hours

6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Kepple-Graft Funeral Home

524 North Main Street, Greensburg, PA 15601

Nov

13

Service

10:00 a.m.

Christ's Church

145 N. Main St., PA

Funeral services provided by:

Kepple-Graft Funeral Home

524 North Main Street, Greensburg, PA 15601

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