Florence Esther Sarjeant

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We, the family of Esther Sarjeant want to celebrate her wonderfully long and rich life. Born on May 16, 1913, she died on October 27 2015. She has been a loving mother, grandmother, and great grandmother, a devoted wife and kind friend to many over the 102 years of her life. Esther's early years were spent on a Jersey farm in Barrie with her two sisters, Kay and Peg.Those were basically happy days. It was a beautifully situated farm with tall elms and maples and Esther enjoyed eating apples from their large orchard. But for her parents, during the depression, with prices so low, times were very difficult. Our grandmother was a beautiful seamstress and good cook, and those same gifts were certainly passed on to Esther. On completion of High School, she went on to the MacDonald Institute at the Ontario Agricultural College in Guelph and graduated in 1935 . She taught Home Economics at night school and gave Red Cross Nutrition classes, then went on to be the dietitian at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Barrie for two years. In April,1939, she married our Dad and moved to Orillia. She would become his loving wife and the best mother-of-all, to their three children, Kathryn, Ron and Louise. Esther and Gordon were a couple who truly shared many interests and goals in common. They enjoyed God's beautiful world and loved gardening, both flowers and vegetables. They went on hikes and walks on woodland trails, always with a dog bounding beside them, and they treasured having the cottage on Lake Simcoe, where the family shared many summers of fun on the water, boating and sailing, singing at bonfires and enjoying corn roasts with friends. Their church involvement was especially important to them. They both taught Sunday School and Esther became the Superintendent of the Intermediate Department. She also involved herself in the Women's Missionary Society, which became the United Church Women in 1960. She would go on to give leadership with as President of the Simcoe Presbyterial UCW. For many years she met with a small group to sew children's clothes for the Red Cross. These were shipped overseas where there was a need. She then became involved in establishing a good used clothing depot at St Paul's United Church which eventually became a Thrift Store of the Salvation Army. Both Esther and Gordon spent 21 years with Meals on Wheels and enjoyed the contacts they made with those in need of good food and care. Dad's involvment with the Rotary Club led them to enjoy several Rotary International Conventions in New York City, Miami, Hawaii,France and Mexico City. They were fortunate to be able to experience some wonderful trips together to the Orient, Norway, Africa, Scotland and Alaska. In their senior years, they lived at the Big Cedar Estates and once again enjoyed the trails and paddled around Bass Lake in their canoe. When Dad died on October 27, 1993, they had celebrated 54 wonderful years together, and what a coincidence that our mother passed away on the same date 22 years later. Esther was gifted in the needle arts. She sewed, crocheted, smocked and knitted countless beautiful sweaters and clothes for her family and would go on to learn the art of oil painting. She was never idle. She loved entertaining and we, her family certainly enjoyed many delicious meals, but we had to mind our manners !Esther was also a talented pianist. She could play by ear and would often sit at the piano or organ to play favourite songs, hymns or duets. She was such a mentor for us as a family, always supporting our endeavours and always interested in what we were doing, even to the end. She delighted in having her grandchildren for visits and was always keen to play games with them and to play along in imaginary stories they invented. But perhaps what shone through most was Esther's deep faith and love of God. It was most evident in her actions, her kindness and acceptance, her welcome of all who came to our home, of whatever nationality, and her care and compassion for those in need. At the age of 80 she wrote her memoirs and tucked into some clippings were these words she written by John Wesley; Do all the good you can, in all the ways you can, to all the people you can, as long as you can. She did ! And we are the richer for having known and lived with her. Esther's Celebration of Life Service will be held at the St Paul's Centre on November 14 at 11.30 AM with a reception to follow. The family wish donations to be made to the St Paul's Centre or the charity of your choice. ( cheques only)
Memorial Service
Esther's Celebration of Life Service will be held at the St Paul's Centre on November 14 at 11.30 AM with a reception to follow.