Esther Matesic

On Tuesday evening, October 14, 2014, the last of the Pittsburgh “Edward Girls”, Esther J. “Dee” Edwards Matesic, 95, passed away at Altercare of Bucyrus. She had been in failing health for the last several years.

The eighth of ten children, Esther was born November 30, 1918 in Braddock, PA, a suburb of Pittsburgh to the late David J and Catherine (Coyle) Edwards. She graduated from Rankin High School and pursued a secretarial training career which she enjoyed while working at the Pittsburgh based Kaufmann’s Dept. Store where she worked until her marriage. She and her sisters were fondly referred to as “those Edwards girls” due to their natural star beauty and vivacious personalities. On May 12, 1949 she married the love of her life, Michael J. Matesic, who prematurely preceded her in death on February 6, 1955.

Esther lived in Pittsburgh most of her adult life, and moved to Bucyrus in 1963 with her daughter, Marion and sister Ethel “Mae” Edwards to be closer to family already residing in Ohio.

Esther continued her secretarial career at the office of Robert Clark Neff for a number of years and then was employed as a church secretary at the First Presbyterian Church in Bucyrus until her retirement in April 1990. She was a devoted mother and grandmother who enjoyed cooking, doting on her grandchildren and feeding her birds and other garden wildlife. Esther also enjoyed playing cards, participating in church events, socializing with family and friends and she loved attention and a good party or gathering.

Esther was a member of Holy Trinity Catholic Church where she belonged to the Rosary Altar Society and the Catholic Ladies of Columbia. She was also a member of the American Legion Woman’s Auxiliary and a former member of the Christian Mothers Association in Pittsburgh.

She is survived by her beloved daughter, Marion J. (Michael) Westfall of Greenville, SC; treasured grandchildren, Jessica (Robbie) Ratliff and their daughter, Madi of Carey and Erik Westfall of Summerville, SC; nieces, Katherine (James) Stanley and Deborah Anderson both of Bucyrus and Christina (Timothy) Quicksall of Mansfield; dear precious friends, Geraldine Westfall Miley of Marion, Barbara (Jim) Pierce of Bucyrus and many cherished nieces and nephews in her native Pittsburgh.

In addition to her husband and parents, Esther is most recently preceded in death by her sister, Katherine E. Anderson as well as three additional sisters, five brothers and several beloved nieces and nephews. She will truly be missed by all who knew her.

Friends may call from 4-7 p.m. Friday, October 17 at Wise Funeral Service where the CLC will hold a ritual service that evening at 6:45 p.m. and a Rosary service will follow at 7 p.m. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. Saturday at Holy Trinity Catholic Church with Fr. John Miller officiating. Burial will follow in Holy Trinity Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be given to National MS Society; Holy Trinity Catholic Church or the Alzheimer’s Association through the funeral home.