ESTHER SKWAREK, beloved wife of the late Frank Skwarek, passed away on Monday March 24, 2025 at the age of 87 years.

Left to mourn, are her children, Eldon, Glenn, Lorraine, Sandra and Valerie.

A Private Service will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers or donations, Esther requested that you do a random act of kindness in her memory.

Esther was born in a farm house in Acme, AB on Sept 20, 1937, the only child of George and Beatrice Beregzazi, hardworking immigrants from Slovakia. Farm life was tough, but eventually the little family was able to purchase a small farm near Picture Butte, where Esther did her schooling, despite not learning English until the first grade, she had no accent,  and had the vocabulary of an English major. She had a life long love of books and learning.  After high-school she attended Henderson college of business, then took on jobs in that field. She most enjoyed her time employed at the claresholm airforce base as secretary to the commanding officer, she left her post rather than being transferred to a position up north,  to be near her parents, where she still helped on the farm. She eventually attended training at the Galt Hospital eventually finding work at the Auxiliary hospital in Lethbridge.  From there,  she married and had 4 children, and continued to work in various places including Eatons, and as an Avon Lady.  She found her dream job as the catering manager at the Lethbridge Labour Club. Putting on fabulous weddings, and special events. There she also met her dream man, and the love of her life, Frank.   He encouraged her to take her real-estate license,  becoming one of the first woman realtors in Lethbridge. She was tremendously successful.

After the sudden loss of Frank, she was determined to make the most of life,  continued in her late husband's passion for construction,  real estate investing, taking work also in restaurant management. She always had a place for people in her life, was  especially compassionate for those less fortunate,  often opening her heart and home quietly volunteering at the food bank, and various local church outreach services. 

Esther worked hard, had developed many skills, and interests, honed a multitude of diverse gifts and talents.

 She had such a wide scope of interests,  excelling in everything she undertook. She was an expert cook, baker, a beautiful pianist that could play many songs by ear, she had a lovely singing voice, and loved to go dancing.  She was an incredible gardener, growing things nobody else could...from vegetables, tropicals, to incredible roses, everything thrived under her care

She was an expert seamstress,  most often creating beautiful clothing, draperies, upholstery (mostly without a pattern) she could do almost anything,  whether it was fixing her car, lawn mower,  doing household repairs, painting,  or building a shed or fence.

She had a deep love and respect for all animals.  Whether it was dogs, cats, bunnies, birds, the odd hamster, tropical fish, or horses, sheep, cattle, 

she passed on this passion to her children.  In the last year of her life she requested to get a puppy, which she named Henry, that gave her so much comfort and joy in her final days on this earth. She was a leader in the local 4H club and loved attending horse shows, horse racing and agricultural events.

Esther loved to travel, hike, camp , fly fish, and was truly interested in other cultures and made friends wherever she went. She fondly remembered the special trip to Europe with her mom aboard the Queen Elizabeth, and travels to Arizona, Mexico and Florida, all over BC and the prairie provinces.

Esther had an in depth knowledge of the Bible, and took a keen interest in ancient languages, esp of the Hebrew and Greek attending courses at the U of L.  

Esther was an expert and prolific  potter and sculptor, an early member if the Oldman river potters guild, she took a keen interest in primitive firing, spending hours and days in the rivervalleys with friends digging holes and recreating ancient kilns. Many of her works went on to be featured in articles . 

She had a deep appreciation for art,  continued painting until her last years,  inspite of her declining health. 

Most of all, she was an outstanding mother, she deeply loved her children always teaching them about life and taking an interest in their pursuits. She passed on her passion for life and skills and talents to them, all along encouraging them to pursue their own interests with determination and focus. Seldom a conversation ended without an "I love you". 

Esther loved the Lord Jesus Christ, her entire life, with all her heart, and always remarked that that's what sustained and guided her through some very harsh and tragic times of her life.  She has now entered into His Eternal care and glory.