Obituary of Elisabeth Louise Esty

Elisabeth "Liz" Louise (Looby) Esty passed away peacefully at age 95 on August 23, 2016. She was born on April 29, 1921 in Centerbrook, Connecticut to the late Archibald and Katherine Looby. She graduated from Pratt High School in Essex in 1939 as class valedictorian; she then attended Springfield Library School. She married Howard Earl Esty on May 9, 1942 at the Centerbrook Congregational Church. She and Howard lived and worked in Hawaii during World War II and they returned to Old Saybrook to raise their family. Liz was predeceased by Howard, in 2002, after 60 years of marriage. Elisabeth is survived by her daughter, Linda Esty of Centerbrook, Connecticut; her son, Robert Esty of Forest Grove, Oregon; her daughter Lisa Esty of Novato, California and her daughter Donna Esty Funk of Centerbrook, Connecticut. In addition she has many beloved grandchildren including Debbie Holmsen of Costa Mesa, California; Sarah Leasure of Warren, Ohio; Donald Spencer of Deep River, Connecticut; Nick Hyman of Nevada City, California; Jenna Forder of Oakland, California; Sasha Funk of Seattle, Washington and Molly Funk of New Haven, Connecticut. She has four beautiful great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. She is also survived by Diane Murray, Michael Foley, and Linda Foley Norris of Florida. She was predeceased by her son David Esty, her nephew John Foley and his wife Dottie Foley, and their son Dana Foley; also her brother William Looby, and her sisters Vivian Maine, Lillias Weber and Helen Marion. Liz had a long career in quality control at RR Donnelly's in Old Saybrook and worked at W. T. Grants. She is one of the founding members of the Old Saybrook Historical Society. Along with Howard, she was an active member of the Old Saybrook Congregational Church for many years and later the Deep River Congregational Church. She was a talented gardener with a particular love for wildflowers. She enjoyed cribbage, knitting, boating and camping and was a prolific reader. She played a mean game of Scrabble. She had a quick sense of humor and always welcomed more friends to the dinner table. She was known for her fabulous macaroni and cheese, blueberry pies and an incredible variety of homemade jellies. The family would like to thank the staff at Chestelm Health and Rehabilitation Center in Moodus and Middlesex Hospital Hospice for their compassionate care. We also thank her many aides, especially Edita Pereira, her last long-time aide, who loved her as her own and called her Queen Elisabeth. In lieu of flowers Elisabeth requested that donations be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation or the Deep River Land Trust. Or if you wish, please plant a flower, help someone in need, or welcome one more soul to your dinner table. A memorial service will be held on October 14, at 3 PM, at the Deep River Congregational Church. All are welcome. A private burial will take place at Fountain Hill Cemetery in Deep River. Arrangements by Robinson, Wright & Weymer Funeral Home in Centerbrook. To share a memory of Liz or send a condolence to her family, please visit www.rwwfh.com