Obituary of Esther Katherine Walsh

Esther passed away peacefully in her sleep Thursday, July 23, 2015 after a long illness, surrounded by her family. Esther was born on February 3, 1927 in Kinsey, MT to Arthur and Louise Scheibel. She married Donald Patrick Walsh in July 1952. They settled in Lakewood, WA in 1956. She stayed at home and raised 6 kids while Pat served in the Army. In 1965 she started a career at JC Penny in the Villa Plaza, Lakewood, where she was fondly known as "The Shoe Lady." After her retirement in 1989 her greatest pleasure was spending time with her kids and grandkids. She loved taking them on trips to visit family in Oregon and Montana. Esther loved to cook. She enjoyed going to Reno and playing bingo, pinochle, and Rumi-Kube. Esther was preceded in death by Pat in 2004. Family members include her children, Kathy Morgan (Mike Socall), Patricia Stolen (Steven), Janice Hutchins (Ronald), Mark Walsh, Gregg Walsh (Stephanie), and Mary Ellen Kennedy (Craig); grandchildren Sara, Alison, Danny, Samantha, Stephanie, Grace and Ryan; great grandchildren, Natalie, Owen, River and soon to arrive Xander. The family would like to thank Franciscan Hospice and Brookdale Harbor Bay for their gentle care and respect they gave our mother. Visitation and Rosary 7 pm Friday, July 31 and Funeral Service 11:00 am Saturday, August 1, both at Piper Morley with Oakwood Hill Funeral Home, 5436 S Puget Sound Ave, Tacoma 98409, 253.472.3353. A Committal Service follows at Calvary Cemetery, 5212 70th Street W, Tacoma. A reception will be held at the home of Gregg and Stephanie Walsh. Remembrances in Esther's name may be made to the Franciscan Foundation, PO Box 1502, Tacoma WA 98401 or to Alzheimer's Association, WA State Chapter, 100 N Harrison, Suite 200, Seattle, WA 98119.