ESTHER LEAH HELD

It is with great sadness that the family announces that our amazing, beloved mother, daughter, sister, aunt & great-aunt Esther Leah Held suddenly passed away on October 7, 2020 at Health Sciences Centre. Her brave and courageous efforts were not enough in this fight, but her life lessons to her children will always be remembered.

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She leaves behind her two children Myla and Matthew, as well as her father, Isser Held, her siblings Tauba (Fred), Harris, Frances, and Sylvia (Bob). Esther also leaves behind her niece and nephew and all of their children: Reesa (Chris, children: David, Jordan, and Sarah) and Darian (Rebecca, children: Ella, Miles, and Alfie). Esther was born and raised in River Heights in Winnipeg and she was the youngest of five children. When Esther was four days old she came home on her sister Sylvia’s fourth birthday and was then always fondly referred to as Sylvia’s birthday present.

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Esther was a strong, independent, stubborn single mother who did everything in her power to make her children and everyone around her as happy as possible. Her children were her world as she always told others. She believed that a delicious homemade meal cooked from the heart would nourish a person’s soul and give comfort. She professionally cooked for close to three decades in meal programs where people needed her cooking the most, in senior meal programs and a women’s shelter.

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Esther had a great sense of humour and her laugh will always be missed by all that had the chance to know and laugh with her. She was witty and enjoyed a good story with many of her own to tell. She was never judgemental, but she was kind, compassionate, and wise.

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She loved poetry and murder mysteries. Her favourite authors were Shakespeare, Poe, and Doyle. Esther wrote poetry herself and it was published in the Grant Park High School writer’s club Poems and Prose 1985-1986 when she attended the school. Esther had been lucky enough in high school to go on a school trip to England and France. The highlight of that trip for her was that she was able to stand in Shakespeare’s home.

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Myla, Matthew, and the family would like to extend their thanks to the nurses who took care of Esther in the last twenty four hours of her life, along with the doctors and staff of Health Sciences Centre. Thank you to our family doctor, Dr. A. Haresha for always looking after Esther’s health and always going above and beyond in his role as a GP. We would also like to extend our thanks to her current and previous places of work (Villa Cabrini and Ikwe-Widdjiitiwin) for sending their condolences as well as gift cards for Myla and Matthew so they would not have to worry so much on simple matters during this difficult time.

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The family requests to please consider making contributions in honour of Esther’s memory to Plan Canada, Humane Society, or any other charity of your choice.

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On Thursday October 15, 2020 at 1:00pm, Esther Held will be interred in St. Vital Cemetery. After the service there will be a small gathering at St. Vital Park to celebrate Esther’s Life. Contact Myla for further details. Please remember that during COVID-19 there are limitations on gatherings and social distancing must be practiced.

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Esther's family kindly requests that all of her friends and relatives take a few minutes to honour her memory by watching the photo-biography above. They also encourage the sharing of photos, memories, and stories by making use of the comment section on this page.

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A special thank you to both Shane Neufeld and Anthony Tarnowski for helping us through this very sudden and difficult time. Thank you to Ethical Death Care for preserving the dignity and integrity of Esther under such circumstances and finally, a heartfelt thank you to Ruth Livingston for offering to say prayers for our dear Esther at her service.

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ETHICAL DEATH CARE

Cremation & Life Celebrations

530 St. Mary Avenue - Winnipeg

204-421-5501 - www.ethicaldeathcare.com

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