Esther Swartz

Esther Swartz, 83, went home to be with the Lord September 8, 2015.

Born in Akron, Esther had lived in the Akron area most of her life. Esther loved serving the Lord at Grace Cathedral, where she was a member.  She enjoyed shopping and crocheting.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Eugene Swartz; one sister, and one brother.

Esther is survived by her daughters, Donna Swartz and Dolores (David) Richardson; sons, Donald Swartz, Robert (Tammy) Swartz, and Ronald (Krista) Swartz; five grandchildren; one great grandchild; and brother, Howard Rudy.

She married the boy she loved from childhood. One of her favorite stories she would tell her kids often was how she worked on his family’s farm picking strawberries for 5 cents a quart – then would go buy a candy bar.  They were married for over 40 years before Eugene slipped off to heaven early one Saturday morning.  Their last day together on earth was spent together like any other Friday – they went to evening service Friday night, came home sat on the couch and talked about their kids while he rubbed her feet.  Then they went to bed.  The next morning Gene went to heaven.   This left a great sadness with Esther – she missed him very much.   Several years earlier Eugene had pressure on the brain and had to have surgery – before surgery Esther made sure Eugene was right with the Lord.  She said the sinner’s prayer with him before he went into surgery that day. She had prayed many prayers for her husband and God answered those prayers.

Eugene and Esther faithfully attended Grace Cathedral Cuyahoga Falls for many years together.  Church became the center of both of their lives.  They would be ready to go hours before it was time to leave for church and arrived early to church. Esther had her special seat she loved to sit on in the front row.  They loved the Lord.  Every morning at 9am she had the God Show turned on and watched daily the 90&9 Club.  This was her daily practice.

Early May 2015 the day before Mother’s day Esther went to the emergency room with a stomach ache.  She was there all night.  The doctors found cancer in her colon.  She was agitated upset and determined not to stay in that hospital.  She wanted to get to church and get prayer.  Nothing the doctors, nurses or family could say or do could convince her to stay in the hospital.  Ronnie and Krista took her out of the emergency room that Sunday morning went home to get ready for service after being up the entire night with her.  They came to the service.  Received prayer and Esther found that peace that passeth all understanding.  She returned that afternoon to the hospital full of peace and faith.  She was able to leave the hospital several days later.

During this illness Esther received prayer many times from Reverend Angley.  He prayed that the doctors would be amazed.  These prayers were answered again and again.

After the doctors discovered the cancer tumors in her head and the bleeding they expected her to be near death.  She comes walking into the hospital happy and of her right mind.  She never even had a headache.  When she was sent to the Hospice ward of the Hospital – the nurses where given the condition of their new patient.  She had colon cancer, liver cancer, lung cancer and brain cancer.  She had undergone several rounds of chemotherapy and whatever else was on her medical chart.  They were ready to deal with a very sick woman.  Instead here comes mom – happy feeling healthy and in no pain.  They would ask her if she needed anything and she would smile and say “No I am fine”.  She was surrounded by her family and she was one happy girl.  The nurses told the family they were simply amazed at how mom was doing and they saw the love the family showered on their mom.  It was Love in action.  3 days later Mom dressed herself and was ready to leave that hospital behind.  She was going home she wasn’t staying in any hospital. 

Mom went home to Ronnie and Krista’s house.  Ronnie and mom had their little routine.  Ronnie would say “Mom how do you feel”.  She would answer “I feel good”.  Then Ronnie would say “no pain, no aches” mom would say “No” then Ronnie would say “what do you say” Mom would answer “Amen” and she would be smiling all the way through this each and every time they would say it.   She attended services.  She enjoyed cookouts and outings to the park. She enjoyed her family.  Her last weekend on earth was in the church she loved during Labor day convention.  She attended all 4 services.  She loved being in her church.  She was happy.  She received prayer each service.  She loved Reverend Machammer praying for her and she would pray as he prayed each time.  Sunday night Reverend Angley prayed over mom.  She was slipping away. One of her daughters said to her Sunday night “heaven is a wonderful place” Mom answered with a smile said “And I am going” Mom said Good night – she never said goodbye – because she will see us come morning in heaven. Tuesday afternoon Mom said her last words her husband’s name “Gene” then she said “Jesus”. Then she took 1 big breath and went to meet her husband and Jesus at heaven’s gate.  One of God’s children made it safely into the arms of Jesus.  Hallelujah!

As her daughter was cleaning off Mom’s bed that day she found a note written in mom’s hand.  It was just a small little paper and it said I am going Home

See you in the morning Mom!

Funeral Services will be 11 a.m. Saturday, September 12, 2015 at Akron Grace Cathedral, 1055 Canton Rd., Akron with Rev. Steve Millar officiating.

Visitation will be 9:30 until 11 a.m. Saturday prior to the service at the church.

Interment will be held at Lockwood Cemetery

Memorial donations may be made to Bibles for Missions, 2700 State Rd., Cuyahoga Falls, OH  44223 or at ErnestAngely.org.

 Service Information