July 5th, 1923 - September 26th, 2023
Esther passed away peacefully on September 26th at the age of 100. Esther lived a long, full life, smiling up until her final days. A native of San Francisco, born on July 5,1923, to the late Joseph and Annie Bloom and was raised with her sister, the late Leah (the late Reinhold) Schmidt, graduating from Commerce High School. Esther married the late Clinton Jennings and they shared 34 years of marriage at the time of his passing in 2004. Esther and Clint, long time San Franciscans, lived in the Richmond District. Upon her retirement, Esther had given 40 years of service to her job with the US Government in the Presidio.
Esther spent many of her years traveling the world with Clint. You never knew what postcard would show up next. They shared a love for travel, seeing new places and meeting new people along the way. Esther and Clint were always on their next great adventure, whether traveling for leisure or as a participant in the many organizations they were a part of. Even into her 90's Esther was traveling internationally or making her way through the city, jetting off to her next meeting or event, as her age never slowed her down.
When she wasn't traveling, Esther was deeply involved in multiple groups and organizations. She truly lived a life of service. She was passionate about the arts, volunteering her time, our service members and POW's. She was a true Patriot and lived those principles by volunteering her time in many of these areas. Esther was a devoted volunteer for over 40 years at the DeYoung Museum where she treasured her many friendships made over the years. The same could be said about her almost 40 years volunteering at the SF Opera where she was San Francisco Chapter President. In addition, Esther was a volunteer for almost 30 years at KQED, President of the Commerce Alumni Association, a member of the National Sojourners where she served as Secretary of the Prisoner of War Chapter 523 and was involved with the American Defenders of Bataan & Corregidor Memorial Society as well as many other organizations, too many to name.
Esther was known as a kind and gregarious person. She never met a stranger who didn't soon become a friend. She could meet you for the very first time and quickly rattle off multiple questions to learn everything there was to know about you. She had a great affection for people and connecting with each person she came into contact with. She could light up any room, she was vibrant, outgoing, generous, and will be greatly missed by all those who loved her beautiful spirit.
She is survived by her nephew Gerald (Jadranka) Schmidt and her niece Janice (the late Richard) Pagan; her loving great nephew Richard Pagan Jr, great nieces Janine (Sean) Vinay and Joanne (Bary) Beecher. Her great, great nieces and nephews Braden and Brooklyn Vinay, Olivia and Luca Pagan and Ciarlo Beecher. Esther is also survived by family overseas Carmen Baroni, Matilda and Dalila Albertazzi, in addition to numerous loving relatives.
Friends and family are invited to attend the funeral service on Sunday, October 1st at 10:30AM, in the Chapel at Hills of Eternity Memorial Park, 1301 El Camino Real, Colma, CA 94014.