Esther E. Clibon

Esther Clibon Obituary

Esther E. Clibon, a long-time resident of Colorado Springs, died peacefully on September 20th, 2009. Esther was born May 8, 1921 in a sod house in Elbert County, the fourth of eight children born to pioneers John and Nellie Mae Carpenter. In high school Esther won a scholarship to a business college in Colorado Springs. She completed that program, and over the next five decades she became a successful businesswoman in banking, property management, and real estate sales. Esther was an active member of All Souls Unitarian Universalist Church and many community organizations, and a loyal supporter of Beth El College of Nursing and Health Sciences. During World War II, she worked in the administrative offices of the Manhattan Project at Hill Field, UT. Esther loved to travel and visited all the continents except Antarctica. She also loved to learn and never missed an opportunity to try something new. In her seventies she learned to use a computer and took creative writing classes after which she wrote and published Colorado Story: A Passion for the Prairies, a vivid memoir about homesteading in eastern Colorado in the early 1900s. Esther is survived by many nephews and nieces and their families. She was attended in her last days by Patrick and Terry Welch, John and Leona Duncan, Stephen and Charlotte Welch, and Joyce and Jim Ford and her friend, H. Lea Gaydos. We will all miss her lively spirit and generous heart. The family wishes to thank the staff of Pikes Peak Hospice and Palliative Care and The Residence at Skyway Park for their tender care of Esther in her final days. A service to celebrate Esther's life will be held at All Souls Unitarian Universalist Church at 2:00pm on Sunday September 27th. If desired, donations in Esther's name may be made to The Parkinson's Disease Foundation at www.pdf.com.

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Published by The Gazette from Sep. 24 to Sep. 25, 2009.

Memories and Condolences
for Esther Clibon

5 Entries

Carolyn Packham

October 5, 2009

It is hard to summarize how much Aunt Esther has meant in my life and the life of my family. Growing up she was always there for me and also as an adult. She had a very positive influence on my life encouraging me to travel, to go into business, to pursue learning, and to live and love life. We all loved her stories and the wonderful book she wrote about our family. We will have such wonderful memories of her all our life. We will miss you Aunt Esther. Carolyn Packham and family

stephen & Char Welch

September 26, 2009

She was loved and well be missed. She was in our wedding as a reader. She came to our house for many of the holdays and enjoyed my mother company
until my mother passed away two years ago. Charlotte send alot of time with her as she lived resent at skyway park where charlotte works

Phil Brown

September 25, 2009

Remembering Esther - by Phil Brown
I first remember meeting Esther while sitting at our dining table in Denver when I was a kid, probably soon after WWII. While growing up I saw her occasionally when we visited in Colorado Springs and remember hearing of her highlights and traumas over the years - such as first woman in a Colorado Springs bank to be a vice president, her real estate activities, and her radical mastectomy and divorce.

My contact with Esther increased in the last 15 years through the cousin letter and a few visits with her. She was always a delight to be with. I was pleasantly surprised we had some common interests and experiences which I seldom find in other cousins. Also we both had an interest in our genealogy. Since my grandparents homesteaded near Uncle John, and in my youth I spent some weeks and numerous weekends on that farm when under Ralph Rickey's ownership, Esther's book and our brief discussions helped me appreciate and understand more of what that homesteading experience must have been like.

My life has been enriched by Esther, and I will really miss the chance to see her on future visits to Colorado.

Billie Basham

September 25, 2009

I am so proud of how the family came together to take care of Aunt Esther. It is sad to see the last child of a family go.

Leona Duncan

September 25, 2009

Aunt Esther ment a great deal to me and I will miss her a lot but I have all the memories in my mind so she will be with me always. Leona

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