Esther Ruth GROGIN

GROGIN, Esther Ruth (nee Heidebrecht) Esther Ruth Grogin was born on April 13, 1937, to John and Lena Heidebrecht in Castor, Alberta. She experienced great challenges growing up on a farm that did not have electricity or running water. Esther learned about hard work and applied it to her education. Her early education came in a one-room schoolhouse until she attended high school in Red Deer; where she often acted as the school pianist. In 1958, Esther graduated from the Royal Alexandria Hospital School of Nursing. She went on to achieve her certificate in Psychiatric Nursing from the Provincial Mental Hospital School of Nursing in Ponoka, Alberta, in 1959. In 1961, she obtained her Bachelor of Science from the School of Nursing at the University of Alberta, Edmonton and her Master of Continuing Education in 1968 from the University of Saskatchewan. Esther joined the nursing faculty at the University of Saskatchewan in July 1964 and taught until her retirement in 1997. On August 21, 1967, Esther married the love of her life, Robert Grogin. While Esther dedicated so much time and energy to the profession of nursing, she gave her heart and soul to her husband, and to raising their three children. Esther was generous to a fault; never too busy to help out or to take on more work. In raising her children, she was absolutely selfless, and her children will always remember her strength, her integrity, and most of all her unconditional love for her family. In 2007, Esther and Robert moved from Saskatoon to Orangeville, Ontario to be closer to their daughter and her family. On July 14, 2019, Esther passed away peacefully with her devoted husband and daughter at her side. Esther will be dearly missed by all who knew her, and especially her husband Robert, her children William (Darci) Grogin, Dan (Lesa) Grogin and Rebecca (Adrian) Shelley and her grandchildren Sophia Shelley, Brooke Shelley, Kate Grogin and Samuel Grogin. She is also survived by her brother John Heidebrecht, nieces Danica, Ardella, Laurie, nephews Joshua and David and many cousins. A private family service will be held at the Dods & McNair Funeral Home, Chapel & Reception Centre, 21 First Street, Orangeville. After two of her granddaughters were diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, Esther became a passionate supporter of finding the cure. In lieu of flowers, Esther requested that donations be made to JDRF Canada. A tree will be planted in memory of Esther in the Dods & McNair Memorial Forest at the Island Lake Conservation Area, Orangeville. The annual dedication service will be held on Sunday, September 8, 2019 at 2:30 p.m. Condolences may be offered to the family at www.dodsandmcnair.com