Esther Marie Worden Frappier Hahne

Esther Marie Worden Frappier Hahne, age 94, went to be with her Lord on August 31, 2011, at Jordan’s Life Care Center. Esther will be profoundly missed by her family, friends and her community; her legacy is the lives she touched. She is more than a memory, she is a living presence. She was born in Kalamazoo on March 23, 1917, the daughter of George Gilbert and Pearl (Bright) Worden. She graduated from Kalamazoo Central High School in 1935 and Western Michigan University (Western State Teachers College) in 1939. She taught at Grand Rapid’s Lexington Elementary (1939-40), St. Joseph’s Lincoln Elementary (1951-53) and Washington Elementary (1953-55) and Benton Harbor’s Morton Elementary (1967-68) and Calvin Britain Elementary (1968-80), and many years as an Adult Basic Education instructor. She was a member of the Berrien County Association of Retired School Personnel. Upon retirement, Esther was busier than ever. Her love of music extended far beyond her playing of the piano and organ. She was a tireless supporter and member of The Misfits, a senior comedy chorus; Community Concerts; a Life Member of Monday Musical Club; an Honorary Member of Symphony League; and past Docent Chairperson and concert Underwriter of Southwest Michigan Symphony Orchestra. Esther could always be seen before the symphony concerts in the lobby selling “Symphony” chocolate bars to benefit the organization. She was honored during a March 2007 concert for her years of volunteerism for the symphony and in celebration of her 90th birthday. Esther had a great fondness for Western Michigan University and was a member of the Alumni Association, the Alumni Legislative (Affairs Team) Network, and the WMU Alumnae Sorority of Alpha Beta Epsilon (1945-2000). Community involvement was a passion of Esther’s; she had a strong commitment to organizations of which she believed in and was a dedicated volunteer. She was a member of the Benton Harbor/St. Joseph Federation of Women’s Clubs and UAW Vice President of Chapter 793 from 2005-2007. She looked forward to greeting friends and neighbors as a City of St. Joseph Election Inspector and meeting new people when she entertained residents at area nursing homes with her poetry reading and musical talents. On January 16, 2000, she was honored to be given the Humanitarian Award at the 12th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Celebration as a community activist. She pursued the vision of Dr. King’s “Beat the Drum” for justice and bring God’s love to all. Esther was also known for being a successful seller of anything: Super Books, Symphony geraniums, church Swiss steak dinner tickets, concert tickets, or whatever was asked of her. She lived her life with a positive attitude; her retort to uncertainties was “Everything works out for the best.” She was a member of the First United Methodist Church of St. Joseph and a former member of Peace Temple Methodist Church in Benton Harbor. Esther will be greatly missed by her children, Calvin (Cara) Frappier II of Lansing, Stephen (Linda) Frappier of St. Joseph, and Margaret (Mark) Hanley of Blaine, Minnesota; grandchildren, Arielle Frappier, Michelle (Mike) Shoemake, John David Frappier, Stephen M. Frappier, Christina (Jeff) Morris, Jennifer Frappier, Elizabeth Hanley and Amy Hanley; and great-granddaughters, Ellissa Frappier and Jillian Morris. Esther is also survived by her companion, Robert Sallee of Berrien Springs; her sister, Elizabeth Worden Dye, of Kalamazoo and many wonderful nieces and nephews. Esther was preceded in death by her parents; her first husband, Calvin Frappier; her second husband, Harry E. Hahne; her son, David E. Frappier and her brother, Russell C. Worden. A Celebration of Life Ceremony will be held at 11:00 a.m. September 9, 2011 at the First United Methodist Church, 3003 Leco Ct., St. Joseph, with Pastor Wade Panse officiating. A luncheon will follow in the Fellowship Hall of the Church. Visitation is from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Thursday, September 8, 2011 at Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph. Memorial contributions may be made to the Southwest Michigan Symphony Orchestra. Those wishing to sign Esther’s Memory Book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com.