Esther Taylor

Esther Taylor passed away on December 11, 2020 in Whittier, California. She was born to Anthony and Rosalina Ferraro on December 24th, 1929 on a farm in Cedar Brook, New Jersey. She is survived by her daughter Lorraine and son-in-law Robert Haakenson of Santa Barbara, and son Dave and daughter-in-law Elizabeth Taylor of San Diego, along with six grandchildren, Stephanie Haakenson Rachford, Sean Haakenson, Sarah Taylor, Amy Taylor, Daniel Taylor, and Matthew Taylor. She was preceded in death by her parents and all of her brothers and sisters: Frank Ferraro, Charles Ferraro, Anthony Di Conz, Mrs. Mildred De Augustine, Mrs. Lucille Cicalese, Mrs. Mary Hyde, and Mrs. Frances Crouse. Esther's parents were Italian immigrants. They did not have much, yet they were wealthy in family. "Pop" was a truck farmer and everyone had to pitch in. She was raised surrounded by her older brothers and sisters, who always watched out for little Estina as they worked the crops together. She would come to appreciate the passing of the day spent outside in the fields. She delighted in the birds, the wildflowers, the sound of the wind, and the laughter of her sisters. She also loved going to school and w...[more]

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d try to hide when Pop would come to collect the kids to help him pick crops. My mom learned the family signature, to work hard with laughter, and it served her well. Her gentle demeanor and ever present smile carried her right up to her passing. As a teenager, Esther worked at Keebler's Bakery in Philadelphia before becoming a young bride. Married in 1947 to Walter Taylor from Lindenwold New Jersey, she settled into her new life as a loving wife. And along with so many World War II veterans, he moved his family to sunny San Diego in 1962. Like her sisters, Esther excelled at cooking delicious Italian dishes. She made the best eggplant parmesan, using only the freshest produce, often from her garden. She was ahead of her time in health and fitness. She enjoyed singing, dancing, yoga, and walking her dog Geppetto. She looked forward to going to church and being with family. Her strength brought her through when she contracted COVID19 in May, 2020. We would have celebrated her 91st birthday this Christmas Eve. Born under the Christmas Eve star in 1929, we mourn our loss as we gaze at the historic Bethlehem Star of 2020. But her strong faith in her Savior, Jesus Christ, assures us that she will be enjoying the best birthday of all this year, safe and well in her heavenly home.