Esther Suzanne Douglas, 73, of Butler passed away unexpectedly Sunday at her home.

She was born May 18, 1937, in Butler, the daughter of the late Jason and Margaret (Oesterling) Gold.

Esther was a member of St. Mark’s Evangelical Lutheran Church.

She enjoyed knitting and loved spending time with her family.

Her best friend was her dog, Penelope.

Surviving are a daughter, Susan L. Bresnahan of Butler; three sons, James S. (Lynn) Douglas of Ogden, Utah, Jeff (Trisha) Douglas of Tidal, Armstrong County, and Donald Douglas and Fawn McCloskey of Butler; six grandchildren, Jason Bresnahan, Joshua, Jonathan, Melissa and Jeffery Douglas and Cheyenne McCloskey; two sisters, Peg Seybert of Florida and Joan Bachman of Butler; two brothers, Richard and Glenn Gold, both of Butler; and a number of nieces and nephews.

She also was preceded in death by a sister, Audrey Cooper; and a nephew, Greg Cooper.

DOUGLAS — Private family services will be held for Esther Suzanne Douglas, who died Sunday, May 15, 2011. Interment will be in Tidal Union Cemetery.Contributions may be made to St. Mark’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, 201 W. Jefferson St., Butler, PA 16001Arrangements are under the direction of

Young Funeral Home, Butler, and information also is available at www.youngfuneralhomes.com.