Esther May Fadel reposed in the Lord on July 24, 2017, at her home in Niagara Falls. She was 90 years old. She was born in Niagara Falls on July 1, 1927 to the late Farris and Rachel (Mokaiber) Fadel, the seventh of nine children.    The only one of Farris and Rachel’s children not to marry, Esther was a devoted daughter, sibling, and aunt to her many nieces and nephews. So adored was she that over a hundred family members from across the United States and Canada gathered just a few weeks before her unexpected passing to celebrate her 90th birthday. The celebration was held at St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church in Lewiston, where she had been a member her entire life.   An active parishioner, Esther was a member of the church choir and Ladies’ Club, and attended Divine Liturgy faithfully every Sunday for as long as her health permitted. 

Educated in local schools, Esther was a 1945 graduate of Niagara Falls High School. She was a longtime employee and retiree of the former Great Lakes Carbon Corporation. 

Esther is survived by dozens of nieces and nephews and great-nieces and nephews, including niece Rachelle Fadel who lived with her and faithfully cared for her at home for the last years of her life. She is also survived by her patient and dedicated aides, Shirley, Kari, and Sue.   Esther was preceded in death by her eight siblings, Dorothy (late Sam) Habib; Habib (late Jane; late Viola) Fadel; Raymond (late Mary) Fadel; Roy (late Daisy) Fadel; Robert (late Anourine) Fadel; Charlotte (late Gordon) Shahin; Delores (late Ernest) Fadel, and Agnes Clark Moretti.   Esther grieved deeply over the losses of the nieces and nephews who passed away before her: Scott Shahin, William Fadel, James Fadel, Roberta Shahin Dougherty, and Randall Fadel. She was also predeceased by her dear friend and companion, Alfred Keese, who passed away in 2006. Our own sorrow at her loss is tempered by imagining the joy of her reunion with all of these loved ones. 

Her family will be present on Friday from 3-8 PM at St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church, 1073 Saunders Settlement Road, Niagara Falls, NY, with Trisagion Services to be held at 7:00 PM.    Funeral services will be held on Saturday at 10:00 AM at St. George Antiocian Orthodox Church, with the Very Rev. Paul R. Solberg officiating.

Memorial may be made in her name to St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church.

Interment in  Memorial Park Cemetery, Lewiston, NY

 Service Information