Esther Stimmel Kafka

Esther "Essie" Kafka was born on January 19th, 1923, in Williamsburg, Brooklyn and passed away peacefully on February 11th, 2026. Her story isn't heroic - it's classic.

The daughter of Jewish immigrants, Essie grew up in Brooklyn, met her late husband, Timmy Kafka, on Coney Island beach, raised her three children in Sea Gate, and finally worked her way down to Florida for the last half of her life.

Essie worked until she was 97, retiring as one of the greatest saleswomen a Boca Raton clothing store ever had. Essie was active until about two weeks after her 103rd birthday. At 102, she traveled to her grandson's wedding, where she was eating, drinking, dancing and telling jokes well past midnight, not just one night, or two, but for an entire long weekend!

Essie never left the house undone and was always up for whatever, whenever, wherever, as long as it was with people she loved. Essie was often out late, would answer a call at any hour, always enjoyed a burger and fries, and told (and laughed at) dirty jokes. Essie brought joy everywhere she went and she did so while always looking GORGEOUS!

Essie loved music and could sing along to every Frank Sinatra song.

Essie had a rare gift: she could make anyone - any age, any background - smile, laugh, and feel good about life, even if it was just for the moment they were with her.

Essie was vibrant for all of her 103 years but never exercised a day in her life, never thought twice about what she ate and never had a negative word for another human being. Her healthcare routine was simple: look good, be positive, care about others, laugh and offer unconditional love for her three children, daughter in law, grandson and his wife.

At 103, she lived through depressions, wars, the Holocaust, assassinations, and eras of great injustice. She saw it all and still laughed every day - sometimes all day - with whoever was lucky enough to be sitting next to her. Essie never met a stranger. Essie never had a bad day and if you were lucky enough to come across Essie, it's for certain, your day was brightened, too.

Essie lived the quintessential American Jewish arc - from Brooklyn to Boca Raton - finding humor, no matter the circumstance, and sharing with the world a true love of humans. Essie's character was also witnessed through the devotion of her family. Essie lost her husband over forty years ago, but was accompanied by at least one of her amazing daughters every day since.

It's safe to say that Essie was an inspiration and her life and attitude an aspiration for everyone she met.

Essie is survived by her three children Wendy Kafka Solomon, Merryl Kafka, Terry Kafka, his wife Janet Pollman Kafka, their son and Essie's grandson, Philip Kafka and his wife Roni Amitai Kafka.

On second thought, Essie was a Hero!