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:
05/14/08 17:02:29 -0400.