Obituary of Esther V. Myers

Esther Virginia Myers died on March 5, 2023, shortly before turning the age of 96. She was born on March 18, 1927 to Chester Dewey Spicer and Alice Virginia (Troupe) Spicer. Esther and her brother Chet “Spice” were raised in the DuPont Village area of Carney’s Point. By all accounts they had an idyllic childhood playing with the numerous children in the neighborhood, eating Mrs. Hocknell’s homemade candy apples, riding amusements at the park (Hummingbird!), skating at the roller rink and training in gymnastics at the local YMCA. At the age of 8, Esther and her brother were part of the first area “wedding on roller skates” as a flower girl and junior usher. The wedding was one of the first Riverview Beach Park publicity events and there is a photo of the wedding at the Pennsville Historical Society. In addition to being an accomplished skater and gymnast, Esther was a good dancer, an honor student and a Penns Grove High School Red Devils cheerleader. Esther volunteered to work part of her high school day at the DuPont Chambers Works Jackson Lab and began working full time at the plant after graduating from high school in 1945. At that time she also met the love of her life, Richard James Myers, when she asked him to be her partner for the “Ladies Choice” skate at the roller rink. They married in 1948 and Esther stopped working when her first child was born. The couple raised their three children in the Penn Beach house that Richard built and in which he and Esther lived for over 60 years. After Richard’s death in 2021, Esther continued to live in the home she loved and was blessed to pass away at home with family present. Esther’s primary job through the years was wife, mother and homemaker. She enjoyed gardening, reading and feeding the birds on her property. She was able to learn various bird calls and whistles so that she could attract different species to her feeders. She took long walks around her neighborhood and could identify most trees and flowers. Esther was always feeding strays and later in life found two loyal cats that she cared for until the end. After Richard’s retirement the couple took a few trips, and enjoyed time with their grandchildren and other family. When Richard developed dementia, Esther became his loyal caregiver and made it possible for Richard to live out his life in the home they loved. Esther was happiest when she was caring for others, including animals. She was a tomboy growing up and remained “spunky” throughout her life. Esther is survived by her three children; Richard James Myers Jr. (Susan), Linda Alice Myers Jackson (Harold), and James Patrick Myers. She is also survived by three grandchildren, Amber Myers, April Nixon (Ra'Shad), Derek Jackson (Katie) as well as four great-grandchildren. Also surviving are two sister-in-laws Mary Myers Taylor and Betty Myers as well and many nieces and nephews. A mass of Christian Burial will be said on Monday, March 13, 2023 at 11 AM at the Saint Gabriel the Archangel Church, 369 Georgetown Rd., Carney’s Point NJ 08069. In lieu of flowers the family suggests that donations be made to the Pennsville Visiting Nurse Association, 14 N. Broadway, Pennsville, NJ 08070. www.laughreyfuneralhome.com