Williams

Esther Anne (Book) Williams of West Middlesex passed away peacefully in her home with family by her side at 10:45 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024.

Esther and her twin brother, Edward, were born on Saturday, Jan. 27, 1934, at home on the family farm in Lackawannock Township, Mercer County, to Paul Frederick and Faye Rebecca (McDeavitt) Book. Edward was born at 7:05 a.m. and Esther at 9:20 a.m. During the 2 hours and 15 minutes between births, their mother cooked breakfast for the doctor, her husband and the two older children, before discovering she was having twins. Esther was a remarkable gift from God.

Esther had a wonderful, loving childhood with her brothers and sister growing up on the farm. Esther went to country school at the No. 8 Schoolhouse in Lackawannock Township and graduated from Wilmington Area High School in 1951. After high school, Esther attended Sharon General Hospital School of Nursing, which was then a three-year program. Her father sold a cow to pay for her nursing school tuition. While in nursing school, “Bookie,” as she was called by her classmates, lived in Pittsburgh while studying pediatric nursing at Children's Hospital. She also studied psychiatric nursing at Warren State Hospital in Warren, Pa., and stayed in Butler while studying communicable diseases in soldiers returning from the Korean War with TB. She graduated in 1954 as a registered nurse and began working for Sharon General Hospital. She maintained lifelong friendships with her nursing classmates.

On April 13, 1955, Esther married Patrick Dean Williams of West Middlesex, whom she met while she was a student nurse at Sharon General and he was a patient receiving care for a knee injury. Esther became a stay-at-home mom and together with her husband, raised a son and five daughters. When Patrick’s sister, Dorothy, passed away, they raised her two daughters as their own without hesitation. She was a wonderful mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, who placed great importance on instilling a heritage of faith in her children and grandchildren.

After caring for her parents and once her children became school aged, Esther returned to professional nursing and spent 20 years working for John XXIII Home, Hermitage, Pa., retiring as assistant director of nursing, where she also was responsible for interviewing and hiring the most qualified caregivers for the home’s residents. Quality care and infection management were the cornerstones of her practice. She was beloved and respected by her coworkers and had a reputation for being the fairest of supervisors. At all times in her life, Esther was a compassionate caregiver for whomever needed care. She not only nursed the physical needs but also nursed the brokenhearted. She was the neighborhood nurse to both children and adults alike. She lovingly provided care to her aging parents as well as her husband and children through their major illnesses.

Esther was a cherished member of The Presbyterian Church of West Middlesex and was active with the Ruth Elizabeth Circle Women’s Ministry, where she developed close friendships with her church family. She was a woman of unwavering faith and resilience.

Esther had a passion for reading. Throughout her life, she had a particular fondness for poetry and could recite many lengthy pieces from memory. She was an avid flower gardener, and her gardens looked particularly stellar this summer. She spent time daily anxiously awaiting what might bloom next and enjoyed fresh bouquets throughout her home from her gardens. She enjoyed watching the many birds around her home and delighted in seeing cardinals. She kept her binoculars handy, and the bird feeders stocked. Anyone who knew Esther, knew they were always welcome in her home for words of wisdom or a delicious meal.

Esther is survived by her daughters, Lisa (Pete) Weimer of Meyersdale, Pa., Valerie (Mike) McQuaid of Royersford, Pa., and Jane Williams, Joan Jones and Shannon (Steve) Reaver, all of West Middlesex; two sons-in-law, Kevin Stupka of Pittsburgh and Tom Campbell of Harrisville; a brother, William “Bill” (Joan) Book of Mercer; a brother-in-law, Bob Boitnott of New Wilmington; two sisters-in-law, Myrtle Shirey of Parker and Martha Williams of West Middlesex; 15 grandchildren, Katie (Tyler) Perry, Melissa (Christopher) Stupka, Dean (Summer) Foster, Danielle (Michael) Quick, Amanda Campbell, Jared (Angela) Campbell, Jennifer Weimer, Julia (Patrick) Smith, Elissa (Marcus) Riley, Brian (Jacoba) Stouffer, Jodi (William) Bozung, Bary (Victoria) Bowser II, Corinthian (Drew) Dieter, Clairessa (John) Cone and Quinnlyn Reaver; 25 great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews and close friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 55 years, Patrick D. Williams; a son, Patrick A. Williams; two daughters, Laurel Stupka and Dorothy “Shelly” Campbell; a sister, Norma (Book) Boitnott; and three brothers, Henry Book, Carl Book and Edward Book Sr.

WILLIAMS — The family of Esther Anne (Book) Williams, who died Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, will receive friends from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024, and from 10 a.m. until the funeral service at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024, at SMITH FUNERAL HOME, 3126 Main St., West Middlesex. Pastor Stacey Cox will officiate.

Interment will follow at Haywood Cemetery, West Middlesex.

Please sign the guest book at www.butlereagle.com.