Esther Zalenski

After a short, but fierce, battle with cancer, Esther Zalenski passed away six days shy of her 96th birthday. Esther was predeceased by her husband Stanley, parents, Cazimier and Julia (Stetts) Laszewski, brothers and sisters-in-law, George (Jessie), Stanley (Mary), Lewis (Mary), Thomas (Stephanie), Leo (Mary Elizabeth), Harold, and Peggy (Raymond);her sister Helen and her husband Neal Bunnell. Esther is survived by her brothers Francis, Raymond, Joseph and his wife Leurella, sister-in-law Arlene (Harold), her nephew David Laszewski and wife Janet, and several other nieces and nephews. Also surviving are Esther’s neighbors, cherished friends and “family”, Luther and Dolly Chergosky. Esther was one of seven siblings (Francis, Thomas, Leo, Joe, Ray, and Harold) to serve her country during WW II. She served in the WACs, in a hospital/base in California and Guam. Esther helped in the caring for “our wounded boys” returning from battle in the South Pacific. She also worked and danced along-side of Bob Hope, entertaining the troops. Esther met her husband-of 55 years-Stanley while working in the engineering department of IBM in Endicott. After retiring from IBM they opened and operated the Chromart Camera store on Main Street in Endwell. She loved photography and was rarely scene at a function without her camera. Esther worked tirelessly with several generations of children teaching and coaching bowling. She also founded the “Esther Zalenski Senior Bowling League”. Esther enjoyed golf and baseball. She especially loved watching the Yankees and Mets and, loved to tell about the time in 1971 when she was at Fulton County stadium in Atlanta (for a National Bowling Congress meeting) and watched as Henry Aaron hit his 600th home run. Esther was a member of a Garden Club and always had a plant sale at the Polish Festival. She also loved to make decorations for special occasions such as weddings.Esther loved her church and at one time was the organist at the Polish National Church that her family had helped to found. Esther was a kind and loving person that lead a full life and we will all cherish the memories. Funeral Services will be held Saturday 12 pm from All Saints National Catholic Church 42 Harry L. Drive, Johnson City.Burial will be in the parish cemetery.