Esther Christensen, 99
WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. â€' Esther Christensen, 99, of Sweetwood Retirement Community died peacefully on Monday, March 15, 2010, with her family at her bedside.
Born in Everett on Jan. 22, 1911, daughter of Warren O. and Mary F. Chace, she grew up there and in Medford and graduated in 1928 from Everett High School and in 1932 from Simmons College in Boston.
Mrs. Christensen was employed at Simmons College from 1933 to 1938 as an assistant in the president's office.
She and her husband, Ralph C. Christensen, were married on Sept. 14, 1938, in Medford. They resided in places including Virginia, North Carolina, the Panama Canal Zone, and Port Washington, N.Y., which was home for 52 years. When her husband died in 2003, she moved to Williamstown to be near her daughter's family.
Mrs. Christensen had many interests and passions, including traveling extensively throughout the world. She was an avid sports fan and was always up on current events and was accomplished at sewing, knitting, needlework and cooking. She loved the ocean and the many summer vacations with extended family on Cape Cod. She treasured time with her family, was a devoted grandmother and, said family, enjoyed people, was a delight to be with, and loved a good laugh.
She leaves her daughter, Jane Stuebner and her husband, Dr. Erwin Stuebner, of Williamstown; a son, Warren Christensen and his wife, Louise, of Port Washington; four grandsons, Paul R. Christensen of Port Washington, Eric Stuebner of Westbrook, Conn., Andrew Stuebner and his wife, Cristina, of Fresno, Calif., and Scott Stuebner and his wife, Amanda Muir, of Philadelphia, a great-grandson, Nolan Andrew Stuebner of Fresno, and 17 nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by her brother, Warren F. Chace
FUNERAL NOTICE â€' A celebration of Mrs. Christensen's life will take place at a later date. Memorial donations are suggested for the charity of the donor's choice through Flynn & Dagnoli-Montagna Home for Funerals, West Chapels, 521 West Main St., North Adams, MA 01247.
Updated May 10: A memorial service to celebrate the life of Mrs. Christensen will be held on Sunday, May 16, 2010, at 1:30 at First Congregational Church of Williamstown.