Esther M. Dawdy

Esther M. Dawdy of Lansing, Michigan passed on to her eternal home on July 30th, 2025, at the age of 98 with family by her side while listening to her favorite hymn. She was born on July 15th, 1927, to Lena (Benke) and Arthur Finley in Detroit, Michigan. In her early years, she lived in Ferndale, Michigan until her family moved to a farm in Milford, Michigan where she grew up and graduated from Milford High School as valedictorian of her class. She graduated from Michigan State University with a degree in journalism. While in college, she met her soulmate, Robert (Bob) K. Dawdy, and married him on December 18, 1949. They had four children who gave them 11 grandchildren. They stayed married for 70 years until Bob passed in 2019.
Esther attended Pennway Church of God in Lansing for most of her adult life. She enjoyed sewing, collecting dolls, gardening, quilting, intellectual reading, and classical music (especially piano and violin). She absolutely loved to write – mostly poetry, but she also wrote illustrated children's stories and short stories. She never let her hands be idle, always filling time with puzzles, knitting, or crafts. She was quite the homemaker, sewing all her own clothes, making her famous raspberry jelly, and even baking her own bread. Esther was very talented and creative, but modestly unassuming. Motherhood suited Esther, and in her own words, she enjoyed her kid's teen years the most, always ready with a listening ear. After her family was raised, she joined the Lansing Area Doll Collectors club and collected over 100 dolls – delighting in re-dressing them in outfits she designed and sewed. She also found joy in crafting and sewing for her grandchildren. Her passions were family, the beauty of nature, pets, wonderful neighborhood friendships, and her doll collection. Although quiet and gentle, Esther was magnificently strong and patient. Esther will be remembered for her sweet and kind personality.
Esther was preceded in death by her husband Robert K. Dawdy, father Arthur Finley, Mother Lena (Benke) Finley, brother William Finley and sister Alice (Finley) Lippman. She is survived by children Richard (Melissa) Dawdy, Philip Dawdy, David Dawdy, Kathryn (Melvin) Hull, grandchildren Alexis (Dustin) Wright, Steven (Incia Rashid) Dawdy, Eric (Emily) Dawdy, Alicia Dawdy, Jason Dawdy, Aaron Dawdy, Tyler (Hayley) Dawdy, Troy (Alyssa) Dawdy, Tara (Brandon) West, Rebecca Hull, Jonathan Hull, three step-grandchildren, and many great grandchildren.
Visitation will be held at Pennway Church of God on Friday, August 8th, at 10AM followed by a service at 11AM. In lieu of flowers, please make memorial donations to Pennway Church of God or the charity of your choosing.