Esther Bergin

Esther Viola (Noble) Bergin was born on July 19,1937, to Harold and Lula (Collins) Noble at home in rural Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania. She was named in memory of her aunt. Esther was the second of three daughters that included Betty (Noble) Wiltowsky and Carol (Noble) Giles. Esther shared reflections of her post Great Depression era childhood that included WWII and the early passing of her mother at the age of eight. The sisters maintained a close lifetime relationship. Esther witnessed Betty's promise to Lula's last instruction, "Always take care of your sisters." Betty married Tony Wiltowsky and all moved to California when Esther was seventeen. During her time in California, Esther met Joseph D. Bergin (Joe). Joe was on vacation after returning from serving in the Korean conflict, visiting his friend Willard Erickson. Joe shared with Esther how he loved her name because of the story of Queen Esther from the Old Testament scriptures. Esther and Joe were married October 30, 1957, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Jasper, Minnesota. Esther was grateful for her acquired Catholic faith inspired through her beloved father-in-law, Emmett Bergin and instructed by parish priests. She was a farm homemaker and proudly raised five children with Joe. She loved to garden and sew. Esther later worked sewing at Raven Industries and served as a Certified Nursing/Rehabilitation Assistant at the Good Samaritan Society in Pipestone, Minnesota. She lived and taught her children well. Esther was widowed at age forty-nine and proved the importance of faith and family love. Family witnessed Esther's grace of trusting in God and demonstrated in the maturity of her youngest children at the time, Mary, age sixteen, and Thomas (Tom), age fourteen. After Tom's High School graduation and his first few years of college, Esther left Minnesota and returned to California to be near her sisters. Esther later resided in Sparks, Nevada with Betty for more than thirty years. In Esther's final years she was cared for by her sons Joe in Albuquerque, New Mexico and later David in Rockledge, Florida. 

Esther V. Bergin, 87, passed away at Palm Cottages Memory Care Facility in Rockledge, Florida on Wednesday, September 25, 2024. Esther is survived by her sisters, Betty Wiltowsky of Cedar City, Utah, and Carol (Roy) Giles of Los Angeles, California; children, Joe (Louise) of Albuquerque, New Mexico, and David (Joan) of Rockledge, Florida, Sheila (Scott) Schumacher of Brandon, South Dakota, Mary (Paul) Master of Rochester, Minnesota, Tom of Niceville, Florida; grandchildren: James (Victoria) Bergin, Stephen (Mary Ellen) Bergin, Laura (Matthew) Huie, Daniel (Kate) Bergin, Benjamin (Molly) Bergin, Adam (Courtney) Bergin, Christopher (fiancé, Shalon McCarty) Bergin, Elizabeth (fiancé, Tristan Love) Schumacher, Peter Schumacher, Joseph Master, and Isabelle Master; great-grandchildren: Madelyn, Eleanor, and Jack Bergin, Orion and Atlas Huie, Holden and Remi Jo Bergin, and Gwenyth and Timothy Bergin. Esther was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph Bergin; parents, Harold and Lula Noble; brother-in-law, Tony Wiltowsky; beloved friends, cousins, nieces and nephews.

Remember these life lessons from Esther: Always have baked goods and coffee ready for visitors. Most things can be fixed, repaired, or painted. Sewing skills are essential for looking your best. Share every blessing from God with others. Don't worry, life has a way of working out. Recall that Dad always said to love God and to pray an Act of Contrition if you think your death is drawing near. In her last months, Esther continued to be thoughtful though afflicted with vascular dementia. Now, by God's grace, she has many rooms that our Lord Jesus promised. Esther is continuing her beautiful story and encouraging us on our Christian pilgrimage into an everlasting eternity. No more tears, no more grief, no more death and a perfect memory.