Esther H. Zack

She is always close to me.

Esther, my friend for 58 years. Now I can begin to let go of the loss, for she is ever part of my life story. Now I can start to release the grief, and dwell on the fun and love and joy we've shared. Now I can simply be thankful for the warmth, affirmation and memories she has woven into my heart--Esther

Dear family and friends of Esther-

My first "memories" of Esther are from my mother's photos taken in 1970. Esther was part of the Zack family clan who warmly welcomed my mom and me into their lives and homes.

In 1972, Esther became a roommate to my mom and me and we lived together in Santa Monica for 3-4 years. These were very formative years for me, and Esther became a source of stability, warmth and wisdom in my life.

One memorable event was when I was in 5th grade and I accompanied Esther for the day to participate as a student in her classroom which was in the Watts area of L.A. Esther gently guided me through the challenge of being a visiting student that day and with my feelings of insecurity being a minority in that setting. Esther was a gifted teacher and was a strong and positive role model in my turbulent pre-teen years.

And, I certainly need to give credit to Esther for planting seeds in my life for a love of nature. I remember hiking the trails in the mountains near Mammoth when Esther stopped and said, "Listen. Listen to the wind in the pines." We stopped, looked up high into the trees, and I heard the low, whooshing sound of the autumn wind. It was beautiful. We also stopped numerous times to peer through binoculars and to consult her Audubon guidebook to identify a bird, or to examine a wildflower. Another time Esther excitedly and patiently taught me the name of the state fish after she had returned from a trip to Hawaii: "Humuhumunukunukuapua'a."

Over the last 30 years Esther would occasionally visit San Diego to celebrate birthdays, graduations and other important events in the lives of my children and family. She was so generous with her time and always offered enthusiastic support of milestones and accomplishments in my girls' lives.

And last July, Esther and her sister, Kitty, came to San Diego to be my mother's companions at my daughter's wedding. This was a huge gift to me and our family because my mother's Alzheimer's symptoms would otherwise have prevented her from attending the wedding of her granddaughter. Esther and Kitty lovingly helped my mom dress and prepare for the wedding, and later at the reception, boogied up a storm alongside my mom on the dance floor. What a fun and lasting memory that will be!

Dear Esther, thank you for giving generously of yourself to me and to others. I will miss your love and joy of life.

Esther was a very nice person and a dedicated and outstanding teacher. Her impact on students, not just her own, but many others, was magnified by the help and inspiration she provided to the many teachers who worked with her through Target Science. A true friend of the Earth and all of the life on it including all of the people who were lucky enough to have known her.

Esther will always have a place in my heart. A very long time friend who gave her all to me and I am sure with many other people. She was truly a good person through and through and a rare individual. She will always be missed by me as her passing left a huge hole in my life. Rest in peace my dear friend. Brie

Esther was my best friend for over 40 years and my son's beloved godmother and Auntie E for 30 years. She was the kindest, most compassionate, beautiful person in this world. She inspired so many youngsters while teaching school for most of her adult life. She loved her family and friends with her whole heart. She was a devout Catholic and the most generous and giving person I've ever known. She was taken much too soon. I miss her every moment of my existence but am sure we will be together again. There wasn't a more perfect human being in this world.

Such a caring teacher who inspired her students to aim higher. She will be missed by those of us who had the pleasure of working with her at Sutter Middle School. Shirley Grayer

I had the pleasure of teaching with Esther at Sutter Middle School. She was a wonderful teacher and her students adored her. She was a kind woman and was friends with everyone she met. I will miss seeing her at our retired teachers luncheons. Now Esther has all the time in the world to search for scat. A word she taught me .

Esther has been a lifelong friend of my grandmother and was like an aunt to my mom. Throughout my own childhood, Esther always expressed interest in me and went out of her way to talk with me and show love to me, even though I only saw her occasionally. I remember fondly the weekend that my grandma and I spent at Esther's house when I was in 5th grade. Esther took me birding, on a nature hike, and to a Native American festival. I was thrilled! Esther continued to keep in touch with me over the years, and even recently mailed me a birthday present (we share the same birthday): a book about the native birds of Illinois, where I now live. My hope is that everyone who knows Esther and who mourns her too-early death will use it as a reminder to express love and gratitude towards our loved ones who are still alive, and to follow Esther's example in being a faithful Christian and a faithful citizen of this beautiful world.

I will miss seeing you, Esther when I'm in L.A. I will miss her smile, her kindness and her wonderful tours of downtown L.A. She was such a special person. My love to you, Esther. May God's angels surround you. Until we all meet again I ask God to hold you in the palm of His hand. Love, Marianna

It was a true honor to work with talented, caring, dedicated educators such as Esther Zack through the 1990's efforts to improve mathematics and science education throughout LAUSD. The joy of learning and giving that Esther embodied lives on through the many lives she touched.