Lillian Esther Beveridge
Our dear Esther Beveridge, beloved mom and sister, died on August 2, 2024 suddenly and unexpectedly at the Misericordia Hospital. Thankfully, she was in the caring hands of her nurses and doctors. Esther, despite suffering a brain aneurysm 20 years ago and cancer for over a decade, managed to continue to enjoy living independently in her home, journaling, FaceTiming with her grandson Theo, and forever challenging her loved ones, as only a true Taurus can. This is a testament to her strength and resilience.
Esther (or “Esi” as she is lovingly called by some of her family) was born on May 10, 1950 in Windsor, Ontario where she worked as a Teacher. She loved kids, but when she moved to Edmonton in the 80s, she needed to change careers and ended up working as a Property Manager for the City of Edmonton when her daughter, Sammy, was born. Esther was always an exceptionally hard worker, a second wave feminist, and immensely proud of her job and her daughter. She was fierce and incredibly loyal. Though we wanted more time with her, we know she is now free from pain, somewhere in the universe, enjoying a cigarette and playfully flirting with younger men with a twinkle in her eye!
Esther will be terribly missed by her daughter Sammy and husband Muhab, her grandson Theo, her sister Alison and partner Bryan, and her brothers Allan and Jim. Our grief is the measure of our love for our beloved mom and sister. Special thank you to her brother Allan, Dr. Lee Pong, her nurse Rae-Lee, and her dear friend Marilla for the extra care and love that you showed over the last several years.
Please join us in a celebration of Esther’s life on Saturday, August 24, 2024 at 2pm. The ceremony will take place at Trinity Funeral Home Edmonton (10530 116 Street NW). Following the ceremony, we invite everyone to join Esther’s family in toasting to her and enjoying one of her favourite pastimes- playing pool- at Pub1905 (10525 Jasper Ave).
If you would like to make a memorial donation in honour of Esther, please consider one of her favourites: Canadian Red Cross and the Edmonton Public Library.
To Esther’s family and friends:
I was so deeply saddened to read about Esther’s passing. We became close friends in high school and helped each other through some very tough personal times. I will be forever grateful for her support and endless courage. I had the pleasure of meeting her daughter once when they came for a visit to Windsor. Esther and I had lost touch over the years but she will remain one of my most favorite people and I thank her for some wonderful memories. My sincerest condolences to all of her family and friends that she leaves behind. May she always be with you in spirit.
My condolences on the passing of Esther. She and I were friends in grade school in Riverside. She lived close by on Isack Drive if memory serves. I was sorry to learn of her health struggles and her passing.
For about 35 yrs, in this neighborhood of the most eccentric people (read: nutbars) that I have ever met, Esther was always someone that I felt was stable, trustworthy, and NON- eccentric! Not to mention, downright gorgeous.
On his first Hallowe’en tour of the ‘hood, I introduced my 3 yr. old son to Esther as “The nice lady at the safe house if you ever need help”
Thankfully, no emergency situation ever occurred requiring her assistance but, I am eternally grateful to her for being that safe person.
Her sweet and sincere interaction with my son instilled in me an unwavering trust in Esther’s integrity and forever endeared me to her as I became a ‘secret admirer’.
Primarily due to work commitments, over the next few years we had only cursory salutations until we happened to meet at a public forum at which time I learned of her aneurism event.
Eventually, I had more home-time and was able to do more around the neighborhood for others. These endeavors brought me into contact with Esther many times over the years and I was happy to assist her in any way and time that I could.
In the last few years we spent much more time together in conversation and we shared many meals while Sue kept Esther supplied with her extraordinary bran muffins.
Although Esther had a great sense of humor, enjoyed a good joke and had a deep, hearty laugh, the greatest smile that she got from me was when, as Sue and I were in the midst of an extended veggie stir fry phase, Esther went from a sincerely gracious “MMM, thank you, that’s so good” to a much less gracious “You need to learn to cook something else” and “I need more muffins”!
Given the advancing states of her health, no offence was taken. She was just being honest and, she was right !
It broke my heart a bit when ,’fighting for her independence’, Esther seemed to become somewhat distrusting and eventually, just to bring her treats to stay in touch was met with resistance.
Esther voiced the inevitability of her situation and I feel that she may have been classically ‘pushing us away’ by rejecting our companionship.
Eventually, Esther called me to do a small project for her. I welcomed the opportunity to reconnect and included her in options and designs etc. which allowed for many more hours together chatting to eventually make a few minor decisions. Time well spent !
A quick run to the hardware store for paint became an all day event including dinner out.
I cherish the memory with a smile especially when I revisit the AH-HA moment as I realized how and why she was able to push my buttons…with her mischievous grin!
Although Esther remained a very private person, to me she was a stalwart of this community.
She is and will be sorely missed for a long time to come.
See you later Esther.
As always, your friend and admirer, Nino.