Esther Schiveley

Obituary of Esther Schiveley

Esther Rodriguez Schiveley passed away on Sunday, October 14, 2007 at Windsor Gardens Rehabilitation Center of Salinas. She was surrounded by more than 50 family members and friends. Moments after minister Tom Salas read the 46th Psalm, she drew her last breath and went home to be with the Lord. She celebrated her 90th birthday just two days earlier. She was born on October 12, 1917 in El Monte, California, to Jesus and Ramona Rodriguez. Her father passed away when she was a small child. Several years later, Esther moved with her family to Firebaugh, California, where they worked harvesting the apricot orchards. On a typically warm day in the Central Valley, a young man tilling the fileds on a tractor spotted Esther, who was quite the looker as a young lady. Smart man that Esther's future husband was, he hopped off his tractor and picked fruit with her. Jay Schiveley married Esther Rodriguez in 1938, and spent the first years of marriage in Firebaugh, where they had fallen in love. Jay and Esther moved to Castroville with their first child, Freddy, in 1941. Two years later, they settled in the farming community of Boronda and raised their six children. Esther and Jay, as well as Eshter's mother and sister, Margarita, were among the founding members of the First Apostolic Church in Salinas. The church began as a home Bible study work on Boronda Road, and in December, 1941; Esther was baptized in the name of Jesus. This began a commitment to the church and to the God, whom she served all her days. The First Apostolic Church of Salinas moved to 1104 Fontes Lane in 1949, where it remains. Jay and Esther purchased their family home in 1953, across the street from the Boronda Adobe and the rolling fields of the Salinas Valley. Jay passed away in 1968. Esther leaned on her children for love and support at this time. She often said that it was after the death of her husband that she learned English at the Salinas Adult School, as well as learned how to pay the bills and live as an independent woman. She transformed from a quiet homemaker, to a 4-foot 10-inch pistol of a woman, who was an unashamed soldier of the Lord. Jesus was the best thing that had ever happened to her and she wanted everyone to know Him. Esther had a unique relationship with each of her children and loved thim for who they were. she would love to see her grandchildren, and she would visit them frequently. Esther had a way making her presence known when she entered a room. Her two standard greetings were "Praise the Lord!", and "I'm Here!". And who could forget "the finger"?. From relatives, to church parking attendants to presidents, no one could escape the pointing and shaking of her right index finger. Esther took great delight in her family. Her home was a gallery of photographs of her sons, daughters and grandchildren. Some of her happiest days were at Christmas and Thanksgiving, where she would enjoy watching her grandchildren race around the floor and unwrap their gifts. Even in a loud, talkative family like the Schiveley's; Esther made her presence known. Esther also enjoyed camping, and would always smile when she recalled trips to Arroyo Seco, Big Sur or to the Santa Cruz mountains. She never seemed too busy to have a cup of coffee, Taster's Choice, of course, and visit with whomever would spend time with her. Anyone who had the privlege of coming to her home in the morning knew the joy of having a plate of eggs, beans, bacon and a hot tortilla. She had a healty appetite and especially loved breakfast. Gardening was a passion of Esther's and the front of her apartment would be filled with pots of red and pink geraniums, as well as an assortment of shrubs and trees. Esther came from hardier stock than most people. she was still driving at the age of 89. recently, when she left her home to enter residential care; she piloted her electric wheelchair to the car. Esther fought the good fight as a woman of God, until the end. She will be missed by all who knew her, and can only hope to follow her example. preceeded in death by husband Jay Schiveley son Alfred Schiveley sisters Jessie Cabrera Mercedes Perez brother Eusebio Lopez she is survived by daughters Dianna (Richard) McCormack of Salinas Martha (Phillip) Prendez of San Jose sons James (Katy) Schiveley of Salinas David (Julie) Schiveley of Salinas Paul (Rosalie) Schiveley of Salinas sisters Margaret Valdez of Moreno Consuelo Macias of Salinas twenty thressgrandchildren numerous great-grandchildren and great-greatgrandchildren Thursday October 18, 2007 , 5 PM - 9 PM at Healey Mortuary Click for Map and Directions Friday October 19, 2007 , 10 AM at Healey Mortuary Click for Map and Directions
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