Esther Leola (Farmer) POSKA

POSKA, CALAHAN, ROCHESTER, NELSON, THENELL, BRENNAN, ULRICKSEN, FARMER

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 2/17/2007 at 03:02:12

Mercer Island Reporter, WA
June 3, 2005

Esther Leola Poska died Saturday, May 21, 2005. She was 99 years old. Mrs. Poska was born April 21, 1906, in Goldfield, Iowa, and moved with her family to Port Gamble, Wash., in 1913. After the untimely death of her father when she was 10 years old, Mrs. Poska helped raise her three younger siblings. She married Hart I. Poska, in 1925. They were married for 63 years and raised three daughters: Barbara, Janice and Meri. The family moved to Mercer Island in 1953 after Mr. Poska developed a progressive, debilitating disease when he was 40. Mrs. Poska served as his caretaker for 46 years and remained an Island resident until the time of her death. Although her life included significant hardship, she bore them with joy and had uncommon gifts of mercy and love. She was a wonderful listener and if anyone had a pain, grief or sorrow, time with Mrs. Poska was indeed a healing balm.

After her husband's death, when she was 83, Mrs. Poska, blessed with health and mental acuity, traveled to Europe, became an active member of the Mercer Island Covenant Church community and served as a frequent dining and shopping companion to countless friends. Mrs. Poska approached life with gratitude, humility and a thirst for learning. Although Mrs. Poska was never formally educated past high school, she possessed a remarkable vocabulary and a vast knowledge of American history. She was particularly fond of poetry and political biographies and held passionate opinions on current events. One of the great joys of her final days was a visit from KIRO news commentator Dave Ross. Mrs. Poska celebrated her 99th birthday in April among her church family and many friends. Her passion for social justice was honored with a birthday donation in her name to Emerald City Outreach Ministries for Youth Leadership Programs in Rainier Valley. It was a true celebration of her life and as praises were heaped on her, she humbly joked, ``Who is this woman you are talking about? I would like to meet her!''

Mrs. Poska leaves behind three daughters, longtime Mercer Island resident Barbara Calahan, Janice Rochester, and Meri Nelson, also a longtime Island resident. She is survived by eight of her nine grandchildren: Jim Calahan, Lynn Thenell, Connie Calahan, Julie Rochester, Steven Rochester, Melissa Nelson, Gretchen Brennan and Steffen Nelson. She is also survived by her sister, Edris Ulricksen, eight great-grandchildren, a son-in law, Richard Nelson and two grandsons-in law, Ed Thenell and Sean Brennan. Countless other relatives and friends also share in the joy of her life and sorrow over her death. Memorials in Mrs. Poska's name are suggested to Mercer Island Covenant Church for Emerald City Outreach Ministries (ECOM) fund. The fund was established in her name for youth leadership development in the Rainier Valley.

[Nee: Esther Leola Farmer]