Clarissa Hester Fuller Eastham

1928 - 2015

Eastham, Clarissa Hester Fuller (Hester)

Hester Eastham, age 86, died Monday, March 9, 2015 after a period of failing health. Hester was born in Coffeyville, Kansas, in December 1928.

Her parents, Rice Bagby "Doc" Fuller and Clarissa Matteson Parsons Fuller, and her brother, Dr. F.W. Fuller, preceded her in death.

Hester spent most of her life in Albuquerque. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in history With Great Distinction from Stanford University and was a member of Phi Beta Kappa. She also earned a Master of Arts degree in history from Radcliffe College/Harvard University where she was the first woman allowed in the seminar of noted historian and author Samuel Eliot Morison. Hester was the first woman to be named Chairperson of the Bernalillo County, New Mexico, Republican Party. She was also the first woman named Junior Warden of the Cathedral of St. John in Albuquerque, New Mexico. She served on the vestry at the Cathedral and sang in the choir for many years. She was one of the founders of the Opera Guild of Albuquerque.

Hester is survived by five children, William Sterling Parsons Eastham (Jeanine), Clarissa Eastham, Miranda Saville Eastham (Sherry Reeder), Sebastian John Doolittle Eastham and Nicholas Paul Eliot Eastham (Mary Frances); six grandchildren, Michael, Lindsey, Ashleigh, Bryce, Riley and Keira; two nieces, Julia Fallon and Hester Fuller; and a nephew, Rice Fuller.

A Memorial Eucharist was held at the Cathedral of St. John, Saturday, March 14, 2015 at 2:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in memory of Hester F. Eastham to the Friends of Cathedral Music, PO Box 1246, Albquerque, NM 87103.