BRINY BREEZES — Patricia “Pat” Albers Esterman died May 10. She was 89.
Born July 7, 1931, in Cincinnati to Frank and Blanche Albers, and married for 65 years to Harry Esterman, Mrs. Esterman was a devoted mother and homemaker with a professional career.
Before marrying, she was a hairstylist. While raising their five children, she returned to the University of Cincinnati, where she received a bachelor’s and a master’s in nutrition and dietetics. Licensed as a professional dietitian, she worked as an extension agent for Purdue University and for the Women, Infants and Children program. She developed innovative programs and consulted with individuals on nutrition issues.
Mrs. Esterman was an avid reader. She shared her love of reading with children, volunteering at schools and libraries. While quiet and modest about her many volunteer activities, she took pride in founding a United Way chapter in Franklin County, Indiana, where she resided at the time.
In 1977, the Estermans had surprised their children by moving to an 80-acre farm in Milan, Indiana. Their dream was to be able to live off their farm, its harvests and resources. Besides having a bountiful farm yielding fruits and vegetables, they raised cows and pigs.
The couple also loved to travel, starting their life together with a honeymoon to Fort Lauderdale. In the 1960s they were founding members of the Travel-A-Go-Go Club in Cincinnati. They flew on numerous trips with their club friends. They invested in a 1970s movie about Coco Chanel and had the chance to meet the actors and tour France.
They had a lifelong love of Florida, returning for many family vacations to Pensacola, the Keys, the West Coast, Orlando, and culminating in their retirement to The Villages and Briny Breezes.
As a second-generation Brinyite, Mrs. Esterman served on the Town’s Planning and Zoning Board and was a devoted town library volunteer. She treasured the camaraderie and close friendships at Briny Breezes. She and Harry were active in bridge, square dancing, shuffleboard, history club and travel club.
Harry Esterman died in 2016. They are survived by children Sue (Mike) Thaler, Sally (Paul) Lukez, Joyce (Wes) Culbertson, Bob Esterman, and Greg (Michelle) Esterman, as well as six grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to the Indiana Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center at https://medicine.iu.edu/research-centers/alzheimers/giving or Briny Breezes Library, 5000 N. Ocean Blvd., Briny Breezes, FL 33435.
— Obituary submitted by family
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