Obituary of M. Althea Kester

Thea Kester, 70, of 2611 Wall St., Ashville, passed away on Tuesday, June 25, 2019 in St. Vincent's Hospital in Erie, Pa. She was born June 17, 1949, in Sault Ste. Marie, MI, a daughter of the late Jack and M. Althea Everett Specht. She was a graduate of Sault Ste. Marie High School and also from St. Bonaventure University with her Master's Degree. Before retirement, she was a teacher at Hewes Boces in Ashville. Thea was a member of the Panama United Methodist Church for many years and was a former auxiliary member of the Ashville Fire Dept. She enjoyed hiking and gardening. Thea is survived by her husband of almost 51 years, Roger K. Kester, whom she married July 6, 1968; a mother in law Ruth Kester; a daughter April (Dave) VanBrunt; two sons: Lee Kester and Adam(Tia) Kester; two daughters in law Stephonie DiMaggio and Tabitha Kester; ten grandchildren: Nick DiMaggio, Alyssa Kester, Paige Kester, Riley Seekings, Zoe Kester, Jack VanBrunt, Kate Kester, Derek VanBrunt, Hunter Kester, Kila Kester; a great grandson Isaac Martin; a godson Symon Trask; two sisters: Jackie (Gary) Webb and Mikki (Bruce) Winters; nieces and nephews: Sauntia (Dave) Puckett, Shauna (Sean) Kirk, Josh Winters, and Jaime (Weston) Edmondson. A funeral service will be held at 3 p.m. on Sunday, July 7, 2019 in the Panama United Methodist Church. The Rev. Steven Taylor will officiate. A luncheon will immediately follow the service in the community room of the church. Friends will be received from 2-3 p.m. on Sunday in the gallery of the church. Memorials may be made to Ashville Fire Dept., 5338 Stow Ferry Rd., Ashville, NY 14710 or Panama United Methodist Church, 22 East Main Street, PO Box 218, Panama, NY 14767.