Esther Lou (Heckerman) Balser, of Newport News, Va., died at the age of 74 on Friday, May 8, 2009, of natural causes, surrounded by her family. She was born on October 27, 1934, in Evansville. She was preceded in her death by her mother, Esther Lou Heckerman, also of Evansville, her first husband, Theodore V. Belzer Sr. and her second husband, Donald R. Balser.

Surviving are her children Theodore V. Belzer and wife, Barb, of Gaithersburg, Md., Katherine L. Belzer and partner, Heather, of Columbus, Ohio, Elizabeth A. Rowe and husband, Don, of Yorktown, Va., Caroline A. Patzer and husband, Kurt, of Chapel Hill, N.C., and Jeffrey R. Balser and wife, Melinda, of Brentwood, Tenn. She has 13 grandchildren and one great-grandchild (with another on the way!).

Esther grew up in Evansville and attended Bosse High School graduating in 1952. She married and started her family in Evansville, later relocating to Maryland in 1960. She and her family spent 1963 to 1965 in Mammelshain, Germany, where Esther raised 4 young children (8, 6, 4, and 2) in an all-German community. She fell in love with gardening after moving to a beautiful farm in rural Maryland. As a true pioneer woman, she had her garden, canned, baked, plucked chickens and made the family thrive. In her 40s, she decided to return to school and earned her Associates Degree in Nursing from Fredrick Community College. She worked at John's Hopkins Hospital in the Pain Treatment Center and, after remarrying in 1980, she returned to her roots in Evansville. There, she completed her RN degree at University of Evansville and worked as an RN at Welborn Clinic and later in administration at Deaconess, both in Evansville. She relocated to Newport News, Va., in 1999 with her husband, Don Balser, where they lived for the past 10 years.

She had many hobbies and her love of music and singing brought her to be a member for many years in the Bach Society Chorus of Baltimore as well as ensuring that every one of her children got proficient in an instrument. She also loved books and was always reading, recently being a member of two book clubs in Newport News. She had a great love of animals, dogs in particular, and continued to garden every chance she got. She was an avid walker and attended Body Recall at the Senior Center in Yorktown. She was always active in her church communities. At St. Mark's in Evansville, she sewed communion kneelers and participated in the church choir. At St. Luke's she gave communion to shut-ins, taught Sunday school with her daughter, and made prayer shawls. She was a member of several church committees, most recently the Parish Relations Committee. Esther was a member of the Real People Sunday School and loved by all. She had the opportunity to travel to Israel with her church community just a couple of years ago and has many pictures and fond memories of the trip, one of the highlights being baptized in the Jordan River.

Esther was an example to all she touched of acceptance, love, and living every day to the fullest. She often talked of how blessed she was with all her family. Her children cherish all the memories they shared in her too short life. She will be sorely missed.

A memorial service will be held at St. Luke's United Methodist Church, 300 Ella Taylor Rd., Yorktown, VA 23692 at 2 p.m. on Friday, May 15th, 2009.

May 12, 2009
Offering our deepest condolences during this difficult time. O. H. Smith & Son Funeral Home, Newport News, Virginia

May 12, 2009
While living in Evansville, I was in a prayer group with Esther for many years. She was so lovely, and she taught me much about grace and prayerful living. I will miss her, but she will always inspire me. Susan Clayton, Port Orange, Florida

May 12, 2009
My sincere condolences and heartfelt sympathy to Esther's children, grandchildren and great grand(s). God bless you all as you struggle through your grief and sadness.
This world has definitely experienced a tremendous loss in Esther's passing. She was so sweet, talented and smart.
I will miss her smile, friendship and Christian love.
I am praying for strength and faith for each of you in your loss.
In Christian Love, Faye Cordle Keenan, Yorktown, Virginia

May 12, 2009
Esther Lou, I remember you as a skinny little girl in Culver Grade School in Evansville, and as a beautiful woman in many ways when we finally met again at our Bosse High School reunions. We will all miss you, and our deepest sympathies go to your family. Richard Tevault, Poulsbo, Washington

May 13, 2009
Esther was a friend and mentor to me when we worked together in Evansville. I learned lessons from her that have stayed with me for many years. She really did talk the talk and walk the walk. I feel blessed to have shared a short walk with her. My thoughts and prayers are with all of her family and friends. Kathy Hambidge, Newburgh, Indiana

May 13, 2009
I participated in one of Esther's book clubs, and I always found her smiling and enjoying her friends. I was fortunate to know her, and I send much sympathy to her family and many friends who will surely miss her. Patty Riddick, Yorktown, Virginia

May 13, 2009
Liz and family, you are in our prayers as we all mourn and rejoice at the same time the loss of your Mom and our friend. Your Mom would come to our Emmaus Reunion Group and she was such an inspiration to me. If she had a prayer concern it was always followed by how blessed she felt. She talked the talk and walked the walk as a child of God. She was a blessing to all she met and will truly be missed. Ron and Betty Miller, Yorktown, Virginia

May 15, 2009
Esther was an extraordinary woman, great mentor, and the best friend you could ever have. Her diversity - in so many aspects - made her such a special, interesting person to have in my life. I haved missed her greatly since she moved from Evansville and continue to keep her in my heart. My sympathies go out to her family and all her other friends. Reggie Evans, Evansville, Illinois