In Memory of Esther Pizarro
February
2008: We thank those who shared their fond memories and thoughts of
Esther. She
Esther had a remarkable way of dealing with people. I'll never forget some of
the stories she shared at PACT Management Meetings regarding some of the phone
calls she would get about folks wanting to relinquish their cats to us. Many of
them had legimate reasons & Esther did her very best to work with them & find
places for their cats. However, Esther would not hesitate to be firm & assertive
with the people who were just down-right irresponsible pet owners. Her passion
would shine through in those moments. Connie Earl & I visited her in St. Alexius
hospital in early September. Connie showered her with gifts and we recall how
she was worried how funny her hair looked because they only shaved part of her
head. We told her she was beautiful! We're thankful that she is at peace. Love, Cathy Traznik (PACT Barrington Rd. Petsmart)
I couldn't wait to call Esther whenever I had made an adoption. First, because
she'd give a big "HOORAY"! and then she would let me know about how we would be
saving another kitty. Her sweet voice on the other end of the phone is one that
I have been missing and will continue to miss. Esther's legacy will always be in
the cats that she saved. May she now play peacefully in the gardens with all of
the pets she ever loved. Rae Anne Norlock, PACT Darien Kind thoughts and good memories from
the years I have know Esther will not be forgotten. Linda Palermo I still can't wrap my head around the
fact that Esther is gone. Over the past two+ years, Esther and I would talk at least 5 times a day,
quickly becoming very close friends. I thought we’d grow old as friends, sharing
our common passion for animal rescue well into our retirement. All of that
changed in July. One day Esther was perfectly fine; the next, she was having
brain surgery. I will always remember her fun and empathetic spirit. She always considered a
person’s feelings and thought long and hard before passing judgment.
Esther and I had too many rewarding PACT experiences to recount. One of
the best times I had with Esther was when we both cleared our PACT calendars for
a private potluck lunch at my home one Saturday afternoon. Esther brought
her famous potato enchiladas (her mom’s recipe) and her homemade cheesecake. I
made vegan Thai dishes that Esther wanted to try, and I rented the movie “Walk
The Line”. Esther was a big country music fan, but had not seen the movie. I was
not a big country music fan, but had seen the film enough times to memorize the
songs. Esther marveled at my new-found appreciation for Johnny Cash, and laughed
as I sang “Time’s a-Wastin’” at the top of my lungs, along with Reese
Witherspoon. She said affectionately, “You silly girl,” which was one of her
signature phrases. I will miss hearing her say that. – Renea Burman, Vice President, PACT Humane Society
I did not know Esther well, but was touched by how welcoming she was when I
first began to volunteer with PACT. She made me feel so comfortable & at ease,
very accepting & sort of motherly, though she was not that much older than I.
Esther was certain to have been bowled over by the animals greeting her at the
rainbow bridge & I'm sure some of those waiting for me spent some happy time
with her. - Candie Dornquast, PACT Barrington Road volunteer.
I was fortunate enough to call Esther my best friend and she will live on within
me for the rest of my days. She was an inspiration and a guiding force for me.
Without her, I was nothing. Rest in Peace, my dear one, I love you, Judy Esther will be missed terribly. She
was fiercely loyal, lots of fun and a very good friend. Her dedication
to rescuing animals made her an anchor at PACT. It's so unfair that Esther was called away from us at a point in her life
when she had found herself and her purpose. In animal rescue, the easy-going
Esther became an advocate and a protector, resilient and determined. I can't believe she's gone. I know that she's watching over us now.
Cherie Travis We are so
sad to hear of Esther's passing. As a PACT foster family we often got
calls or emails from Esther who worked seemingly endlessly to move cats
into adoption centers and "intake" as many as possible, saving them from
death. I will always remember how appreciative she was of the work we
did fostering when I'm sure she did ten times as much herself. She was a
sweet, sweet person with a passion for animals that made a lasting
impression on my family and I. -- Gina, Paul, Rachel and Mitch
Wisniewski (Darien) Esther: I cannot believe that you are gone… I am
still trying to come to come to terms with everything. I enjoyed working
with you and getting to know you! It was truly my pleasure. You are such
a sweetie and your love for animals clearly showed through your work
with PACT. Rest peacefully because you are in a much better place. The
Lord needed a new Angel so He chose you. It brings me comfort
simply knowing that you are watching over all of us. I miss you but I
know we’ll see each other again. Love ya, ~SALIMAH (PACT, Aftercare)
I am so lucky to have met Esther. Although I didn't know her well, she was so
warm and upbeat. She will be missed. -- Susan Norris (Champaign, IL)
The first time I ever really talked to Esther, two of my three cats had died in
two days. I went to help at the 9Lives Morris' Million Cat Rescue, and she was
there. She was so empathetic and understanding. I really didn't have the
opportunity to get to know Esther well, but anytime I saw her, the warmth of her
spirit was so obvious. She definitely put a paw print on our hearts. I was able to visit Esther in the hospital in September before I was pulled
in the direction of my own sister who was ill. I'm thankful that so many of the
PACT people were there for her; you are all very special people. I won't be able
to attend the wake or service, but everyone will be in my thoughts.
As difficult as it is to lose someone like Esther, the past few months were a
true blessing because her family and friends had the time to say goodbye and let
her know she was loved. Heaven has another angel. I'm thankful I knew her. --
Patrice Nightingale, Barrington Road PACT
ESTHER WAS PATIENT OF MINE FOR MANY YEARS. I TOOK CARE OF MANY ORTHOPEDIC ISSUES
FOR ESTHER, MOST RECENTLY HER KNEE REPLACEMENT. SHE WAS ALWAYS UPBEAT AND A
WONDERFUL PERSON TO KNOW.
WE AT SUBURBAN ORTHOPAEDICS EXTEND OUR DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO ALL OF ESTHERS
LOVED ONES. SHE WILL BE TRULY MISSED. WITH SYMPATHY,
HOWARD FREEDBERG M.D. AND ENTIRE STAFF OF
SUBURBAN ORTHO
RIP Esther. It was an honor to work with you while I was a volunteer . You were
so devoted to the cause of homeless and abandoned cats--always full of care and
compassion. If the world held more like you, it would be a better place. Pat,
former PACT Barrington Rd adoption counselor.
Reading through Esther's guest book, I cried a little, but I smiled too. I
wasn't lucky enough to become a good friend. But I was lucky to spend some time
with Esther. As others have said, she was unfailing in her support of PACT, all
our cats and all our volunteers. I remember sitting at the adoption center at
Woodfield one Saturday afternoon when Esther was there with Smudge. Her love for
this kitty was obvious. And I remember a phone conversation that I dragged out
much longer than necessary. I should already have known all the information she
gave me that day. But she was wonderful, going over again and agian, the same
things until I understood. If I was trying her patience, she never let on. Thank
you, Esther. I will miss you. Barbara Wright Woodfield volunteer
Now she's back with her beloved Tig & Bubba. Rest In Peace, Esther. Len
[Added by PACT: Len is a former co-worker of Esther's]
My Aunt Esther was one of the best people that I have ever known. Her sense of
humor and unconditional love was always an inspiration to me and to anyone who
had the privilege to know her. Although I lived too far to stay close, our heart
connection remained unchanged. I will miss her terribly! And I can't wait to see
her again. I Love you Auntie Esther and I miss you! Kathy L. Franklin Esther was one of a kind. She lived
with gusto and commitment to PACT, which is how I knew her, but I could
tell her passion reached into every aspect of her life. Working two
jobs, taking care of her own cats, and spending every moment she could
spare saving the lives of those sad little throw-away cats trapped
inside the dismal walls of animal control facilities, Esther lived her
politics. This is a rare quality, and one I admire. It's just not fair
that such a vibrant person could have her life cut so short. Esther had
a huge heart, and I will miss her very much. Jane Campbell, Darien
Adoption Counselor
I was fortunate to grow up with Esther on Wallace Street in Sterling, IL. She
grew up loving all God's animals including Rusty (the family dog) and Peto and
Peto Jr the ducks that arrived one Easter. There was no person that Esther met
who did not become her friend. Esther loved life and filled it with many
different interests especially her cat and kittens. She gave of herself so
generously. On the Friday before she became one of God's Angels, she was concerned for
others and their happiness.
You will be very missed my friend. I am consoled by the welcome you must have
received at the Rainbow Bridge and knowing that you are at peace and will
continue on your spiritual journey with the gusto that you lived during this
life.
Pat Chapinski
There are so many wonderful things that I could say about
Esther. Not only has she brought so much to the PACT family, she has also been
the start of a much needed change of philosophy at a traditional animal shelter
that the Fox Valley Animal Welfare League supports. Before Esther, it was
unheard of to try and place cats into rescues because there was such an
overwhelming number of them that it seemed impossible to the shelter staff.
Once I met Esther and we formed a partnership the sky was the limit. We were
saving lives like nobody's business! We even reached out and helped some cats
from Iowa. Through her dedication and her trust in me and the cats we provided,
we started a life-changing movement that will continue on in her absence. When she took in Smudge from our group I knew that we would have a special
bond forever. Smudge needed so much help and Esther was right there to
provide her with a life she so graciously deserved. When she became her
"Smudgie" I felt such joy in making Esther as happy as she was making Smudge.
They bonded immediately and I am sure that Smudge is grieving in her own way
too. I will miss Esther so much and am proud to say that her legacy will live on
with the Fox Valley Animal Welfare League. We will always remember her as the
one who proved that cat rescue was possible and so many people believe now
thanks to her. Rest in peace my dear friend. You are truly an angel in so many ways! Ellen Wullbrandt - Fox Valley Animal Welfare League
Esther has that “let’s just get it done” spirit that helped save so many lives.
And now all those homeless animals that are not saved here on Earth, they have
someone so warm and wonderful to greet them and give them love. Her spirit is a
comfort to me. Goodbye Esther. We'll miss you so. --Cathy Christensen, PACT
Marketing
Esther taught me the lesson of patience .. She never lost sight of the big
picture even when she dealt with extremely difficult intake cases. I did not
know Esther that well,.. but every meeting we ever had, the big hug and the warm
smile always made me feel like I am meeting an old friend. You will be missed,
dear Esther -Renuka Hegde, Technology Manager, PACT Humane Society
Dear PACT,
Thank you all for being so kind to our sister yes you are right she was a
wonderful person. A special thanks to all of you who sent cards, phone calls to
her during the past five months, those of you who attended her wake as well as
many of you who attended her funeral.
Our lives our forever changed with out our beloved Esther.
-The Pizarro Family
In the short time I knew Esther since September 2006 when I started volunteering
at PACT, she has really made an impact in my life in so many ways it is hard to
put into words.
From the first day I met her, she made me feel so at ease and was so helpful.
She was just so pleasant to work with; I always looked forward to calling her
telling her we had another adoption and hearing her sweet voice say "Yes! Thank
you honey!" She was right on it, immediately working on getting another kitty to
fill the new open spot to save yet another life.
Volunteering has been one of the most rewarding things I have ever done, not
just for doing my small part for helping homeless cats, but in meeting all the
wonderful caring people like Esther, and she was absolutely the best. I will
remember her always for her dedication, hard work, and for how she dealt with
such difficult situations with common sense, a great sense of humor, and poise.
She worked tirelessly for the cause and we will miss her every single day, not
just for her contributions to PACT, but because of the warm, caring, incredible
woman that she was. I will always remember Esther for her bravery and
acceptance of the battle she fought, with such dignity and grace.
Rest in peace, dear sweet Esther, you are dearly missed by all of us.
Lori Banach, PACT Woodfield.
Esther, your time with me was too short. I still hear you're laughter in my mind
and your reply when I would call with multiple adoptions "Sue....again! You
girls need to slow down" and I would reply "Esther, let's move 'em in, besides I
know you have nothing else to do". Then we would just laugh. My most vivid
memory was Esther at one of our spaydays, sitting on a chair in recovery trying
to figure out how to fold towels and care for the little ones when they came out
of surgery. She finally just started stuffing them in her shirt. Then she would
get this stern look on her face and say "See...nice and quiet now" then she
would laugh and she walked to the front desk to fold towels.
Her very presence was one calming and soothing. She took charge and made things
happen in a way only she could do. Some of the people she dealt with on the
phone would have sent me over the edge-but not Esther. She got down to business
and never let them forget they we dealing with one of God's little creatures.
She was firm, but kind.
She was my friend and hero. I miss her terribly. She taught us all so many
things too numerous to name. I am grateful for the time I had with her.
She will never be forgotten.
Sue Ford/PACT - Woodfield Well I guess it's true what they say, "the
good die young". Thank you for all you have given to us. -Rita Cervantes
I am terribly saddened to hear of Esther’s passing. Her kindness and
dedication to the kitties was amazing. Esther and her tremendous
advocacy for the kitties will be truly missed! Kurt Meyer (Fellow animal
advocate and volunteer)
Esther & I had
many tea parties on Aunt Ruth's beautiful lawn. As a city girl, I always
enjoyed the week or two in the Summer that I would spend with my cousins
in Sterling. Esther's Mom Ruth and Dad Henry were very self sufficient.
They raised chickens for food, had a bountiful and delicious garden,
apple trees, and the most beautiful flower garden I had ever seen. I
thought the house on Wallace Street was a mansion and it even had a
piano. Esther came from a very loving and fun family and in the Earthly
Garden of Eden there was always a great big juicy tomato that had my
name on it and a salt shaker on the porch railing. And then there was
the hammock which invited napping. Aunt Ruth was an excellent seamstress
and made dresses for all the girls. She could copy dresses she saw in
catalogs and when I visited, she would make me something. Esther's
brothers and sisters were always helping out (necessary in a large
family) and dinners were always at the dining room table, with ever so
much to talk about. I think she had a great time growing up! Looking
back, what more could any of us want? - all the healthy food you could
eat, all the clothes you needed, all the adventures that siblings and
cousins and friends can find or create and a God centered loving family.
Amen Adele Petersen, Older Cousin (Although, younger than her other
siblings) .
PACT - Darien Petsmart
Copyright © 2008 by PACT Humane Society. All rights reserved.
Revised:
11/06/11 08:14:50 -0600.