Fairfax Native, Esther Kearney Dies At Age 102

ESTHER GILLIN KEARNEY
MARCH 30, 1907 - MAY 20, 2009

BURLINGTON - Esther Gillin Kearney, 102, of 3 Cathedral Square, Burlington, died on Wednesday, May 20, 2009, at her residence. She was born in Fairfax, Vt. on March 30, 1907, the youngest of six children of George and Mary Ellen King Gillin. She lived on a farm in the Buck Hollow area of Fairfax. Esther attended school at Bellows Free Academy in Fairfax for 11 years and graduated from St. Mary's High School in St. Albans in 1926. She then attended Teachers' Training School in Swanton, Vt. Her first teaching position was in a one-room school house in Georgia, Vt. in 1927-28. The following year she went home to Fairfax and taught at the Cherrier School until 1931. She then taught the third grade at Bellows Free Academy in Fairfax for two years. Esther was married to Edward P. Kearney on June 21, 1923. They lived in Fairfield and were active in local politics, the activities of St. Patrick's Parish and the local community. She and her husband both held positions as town officers in Fairfield. In 1948, she returned to teaching in Fairfield at St. Rocks School. In the 1950's she taught school in Georgia, Vt. at the Stone School, the Conger School and spent 10 years teaching the fifth grade at the new school in the center of Georgia. Esther and her husband Ed moved to Colchester in 1963, and she spent the next ten years teaching at Colchester schools retiring in 1972. Esther and her husband were very active at Holy Cross Parish where she was a parishioner for 45 years. She did outstanding needlework making many beautiful tablecloths for family members. She was also very proud of the many Baptismal stoles she embroidered for the newest members of the Holy Cross Parish and her great-grandchildren. In 1979, her husband Edward died. She continued taking an active part in the community, volunteering with the Fanny Allen Hospital and RSVP as well as assisting with various parish activities at Holy Cross Parish. At the age of 96, Esther moved to Cathedral Square Assisted Living in Burlington. She soon made new friends and acquaintances and became an outstanding participant in the exercises and games, especially Jeopardy. Esther had the greatest respect for all of the staff and in particular, the resident assistants who gave her such loving attention and care. She is survived by her three children, her daughter Mary McClintock, husband Richard and their six children and spouses, Dan and Lisa, Rick and Lee, Mike and Lynn, Tish and Bill Boldwin, Kathleen and Brian Bush, and Colleen and Mike Case, her son Patrick Kearney, his wife Mary and their son Tim, her daughter Nancy Wise; her 16 great-grandchildren and two greatgreat-grandchildren. A devout Catholic, Esther leaves a legacy of faith to her family and to all those whose lives she touched. Her belief in God was a source of strength and inspiration to all. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, May 25, at 11:30 a.m. in Holy Cross Roman Catholic Church, Mallets Bay, Colchester. A luncheon will be held in the Parish Center immediately following the Mass. Interment will be in Holy Cross Cemetery, St. Albans at 3 p.m. Arrangements are in the care of the Ready Funeral and Cremation Service. If anyone chooses to do so, memorial gifts may be made to Cathedral Square Assisted Living at 3 Cathedral Square, Burlington, VT 05401, or a charity of your choice.

KEARNEY, ESTHER G. MALLETTS BAY, COLCHESTER - A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Monday, May 25, 2009 at 11:30 a.m. in Holy Cross Roman Catholic Church with the Rev. Roger Charboneau officiating. Concelebrating was the Rev. Msgr. Peter Routhier, Vicar General representing the Most Rev. Salvatore Matano, Bishop of Burlington, and Rev. Bernard Bourgeois, Principal of Rice Memorial High School. Present in the Sanctuary was the Most Rev. Kenneth Angell, Bishop Emeritus of the Diocese of Burlington and former Vicar General Emeritus, Rev. Msgr. John McSweeney. The Pall was placed on her casket by her daughter and son-in-law, Mary and Richard McClintock and the Crucifix was placed by her daughter Mary. The Readings were proclaimed by Timothy Kearney, grandson. The Prayers of the Faithful was offered by Lynn McClintock, granddaughter. Offertory Gifts were presented by Mary Bush, Sydney Case, Richard, Caroline and Molly McClintock, greatgrandchildren. The Greeters were Kati Boldwin and Molly McClintock, great-granddaughters. Altar Servers were Thomas Case and Matthew Case, great-grandsons. Music was provided by the St. Pius X Music Ministry, which included Tish Boldwin, granddaughter, and Jeffrey Bush and Kevin Boldwin, great-grandsons, under the direction of David Riley. Pianist was Kathleen Bush, granddaughter and soloists were Jeffrey Bush and Mary Bush, great-grandchildren. Prayers of Final Commendation were delivered by Bishop Angell. Attending were representatives from the Bishop Brady Center, Sisters of Mercy, Sisters of the Atonement, Rice Memorial High School, parishioners of Holy Cross and many relatives, friends and neighbors. Interment followed in Holy Cross Cemetery, St. Albans with Fr. Charboneau reading committal prayers. Greatgrandson Jeffrey Bush sang "Danny Boy" following the prayers. Bearers were Seamus, Robert, Brian, Kelly McClintock, Jeff Bush and Kevin Boldwin, great-grandchildren. Arrangements were in the care of the Ready Funeral Home

Nat Worman did a story on Esther back in 2007 when she celebrated her 100th Birthday. If you would like to read it, click on the following link:

http://www.vtgrandpa.com/fhs/Esther_Kearney_2007.html