Comments on: Esther Quinn (1924-2013) RIP

By: Paul Signorelli

Paul Signorelli — Sat, 18 Jun 2022 00:33:20 +0000

Tremendously moving piece, Clark. Thanks for sharing it–and her–with me today.

By: Irmi

Irmi — Mon, 02 Jun 2014 08:54:28 +0000

Hello Clark

My condolences

I am greatful to have met Esther in the South Pacific
many years ago and visted her in California
we did stay in touch over all those years

good to read that she could pass over easyly

Greetings form Switzerland
Irmi

By: June Jovan

June Jovan — Wed, 01 Jan 2014 21:43:39 +0000

I met Esther and Nives in 1981 when we were together on Sundowners 3-month international camping trip, London to Kathmandu via Russia and the Eastern Bloc countries. We had been exchanging Christmas letters ever since, and I learned of her death only this past week when I phoned her son’s home to find out why she hadn’t written.

Though the oldest in our Sundowners’ camping group, Esther and Nives were dynamos, who could leave the rest in their dust, particularly Esther. Tiny and sparrowlike, she was always on the move. When the tour ended in Kathmandu, they weren’t finished, but went on to visit Darjeeling, Calcutta and the Philippines on their own, something it has taken me 30 years to accomplish.

I traveled with them again in 1986 on Goways 2-month camping tour around South America. We were on an old American school bus on its last legs, that kept breaking down and finally died in the Atacama Desert of Chile. But we kept on going on public transportation to our final goal of Quito, Ecuador.

We kept in touch with Christmas letters and postcards, and I stopped several times when en route south to see them in their lovely home on Crestwood Street in San Pedro. It had a gorgeous view of the lights of the city and harbor below, but the thing that was best for me was how they tastefully incorporated the souvenirs from their travels in the decor. I recognized some of the pieces, because I had been there too, and I loved that. Esther always made a guest feel welcome, with homemade cookies and some special souvenir by the bed.

The last time I saw them was when they were living in a mobile home just about one year before Nives’ death. I stayed with them one night on my way to Pasadena to see the Rose Bowl Parade. The mobile home was very large and nice, but I felt sad that they had given up their lovely home in the hills. I guess the price was so good, they couldn’t resist.

After Nives died, Esther sold the mobile home and moved to San Diego to live near her son’s family. I am glad she could spend her last years with her family.

I always thought she and Nives had it all, an example of a life well spent. JUNE JOVAN

By: Jim Stern

Jim Stern — Fri, 27 Dec 2013 00:43:14 +0000

Dear Clif and Clark –

My sincerest condelence on the passing of your mother. I just came across Clark’s tribute and I wanted to express my sorrow for her passing.

We spent many years growing up together on Crestwood Street, and your home was like my “second home” when we were kids.

I feel bad that we lost touch but I wanted to let you know that your parents were outstanding and loving people and both of them had an enormous and positive impact on me personally.

Your mother was a wonderful person. Rest in Peace

By: Laura Gianni Tino Luigina

Laura Gianni Tino Luigina — Sun, 27 Oct 2013 17:52:02 +0000

Dear Clifton and Clark
we are your aunt Elisabeth’s friends from Verona in Italy. Clif,if you remember, we met in the occasion of your aunt’s commemoration in Munich. We’ve heard about your mother’s passing away; she followed her sister very soon, but now they are together at last!
You are certainly sad for this great loss, but you have to be happy and proud to have had such a special mother!
We didn’t have enough time to know her well during her short stay in Verona, but Clark’s tribute let us appreciate her better and see how many characteristics she shared with her sister Elisabeth.
May both of them rest in peace!

Anyway we can’t forget some amusing episodes happened during her stay for a couple of nights at Tino and Luigina’s house, where Elisabeth usually stayed when she came to Verona.
Your parents went to sleep in the attic that is very close to the bell tower of the church.In the morning when Luigina asked them if they had slept well , they answered the bed was fantastic, but they couldn’t sleep at all because the bells had rung every hour.
Then they told them of their strange and unconfortable journey from Il Cairo to Joannesbourgh on an old and not confortable lorry at all after having rented their cosy house :The ring of the bells wouldn’t have stopped them!
They were very great people!
With our sincere condolences

Luigina e Tino Verdari, Laura e Gianni Zanardo

By: Maria Noehmeier

Maria Noehmeier — Fri, 18 Oct 2013 15:07:07 +0000

Dear Clark and Clif, so many weeks after Esthers “going-home” I found your mail. She followed her sister Elisabeth very soon.
May both be happy in eternity.
Esther was the most wonderful Person I ever have met!!!!
With love
Maria from MÃ¼nchen

By: Clark

Clark — Fri, 04 Oct 2013 13:54:18 +0000

Another friend of my parents, Mariann Mueck, wrote this:

I was so sorry to hear about your Mom. I feel in my heart that she is now with your Dad. I send you my sympathy because I know the sorrow that comes as you keep on missing her. I was very fond of your parents and worked with them at the church. My husband and your Mom also saw each other at the San Pedro hospital where they volunteered. I have wonderful memories of the times we spent at their home hearing about their truly exciting trips around the world. That map covered with pins is still visible to me. We all laughted and continued to be amazed at their harrowing travels.

By: Carrie "Cleo" Keller

Carrie "Cleo" Keller — Mon, 23 Sep 2013 21:14:50 +0000

Dear Clif and Clark, It has taken me a while to write to convey my deep sorrow at Esther’s passing. She was one of the most amazing people I’ve ever met, and I can hardly believe she’s gone (although I know she’s been “ready” for awhile). I am so grateful that my son Adrian and I made the trip out to California last summer (2012) and had a chance, along with Anna, to visit Esther. I thought it might be the last time I would see her, and was glad it was such a good (if too short) visit. My mind and heart are flooded with so many memories of Esther from my childhood. She was one of the kindest people I’ve ever known. I always felt she saw the best in me, and really saw me for who I am. She made me feel special; and I know I wasn’t alone in experiencing that from her. She was beloved by so many people. She remembered my birthday every year, and sent sweet, thoughtful cards (often with snoopy stickers on them) always full of kind wishes as well as interesting things she was up to or what she had noticed in her environment. She was insightful and observant of people and places. I still have some letters and cards from her that I will always treasure, as they are filled with that lovely Esther-ness. When I think of Esther I remember that mischievous side of her that saw the humor in human nature. Somewhere, in an old box of photos, Anna and I have a b & w photo of Esther from a long-ago Quinns and Kellers camping trip. That picture captured her mischievous grin. Another photo from that trip is of a young Clark, grinning into the camera with a frog cupped in his muddy hands, so that’s how long ago that was! When I was a girl I always loved visiting your folk’s home on Crestwood Street. Esther always gracious, offering delicious things to eat and drink, what a fabulous cook and baker she was. She was also a peacemaker, smoothing over potential conflicts between our Dads (esp after they’d had a few drinks) with her warm laughter and comments. I remember coming to your house on Christmas Eves, how Esther brought her German tradition of opening some gifts the night before Christmas (I always envied you boys growing up with that tradition!).
I am so glad, Clif, that Esther was able to live out her last years in your home. I know that meant so much to her, to be close by family. Your mother was a true friend to my mom Eva, loyal and devoted right up to the end of mom’s life 10 years ago.
I am honored and immensely grateful to have known Esther. Her life was a gift to this world – and there will never be anyone like her.

Cleo Keller

By: Gloria Nussbaum

Gloria Nussbaum — Sun, 22 Sep 2013 23:45:21 +0000

Esther was an original. One of very few I’ve known who would be so constant, at so easy to be with and so adaptable. If only we could replicate her, the world would be a saner place.

Gloria Nussbaum

By: jean downs

jean downs — Sun, 22 Sep 2013 13:25:13 +0000

clark, clif & family

I looked so forward to chatting with Esther over the years and will miss our visits. She was so interesting, & vibrant to listen too. Her energy and love of life never seemed to stop. She was definitely a lady to be admired. sincere condolences.

jean downs, Southampton ontario