Esther M. Winberg a former resident of Panama and a resident of Fairhope, died peacefully in her sleep Thursday, Feb. 28, 2008 at home, three days short of her 95th birthday.
She was born Esther Marina Chaperon March 3, 1913, in Capira, Panama, and was reared by her parents, Luciano and Lucia Chaperon.
Her father emigrated from France to help build the French Canal in the 1890s. She and her husband Glen Wesley Winberg Sr., raised seven children in the former Panama Canal Zone and in 1965, upon his retirement as a senior chief marine engineer, from the Panama Canal Company, moved to his hometown of Fairhope, where his family roots go back to the early days of the settlement of the Fairhope Colony.
She will be remembered by her family and many friends, and neighbors for her loving devotion, strength of character, and pride in her family, as well as, her Christian spirit, generous heart, sense of humor, her work ethic, positive outlook, and enjoyment of life and the many years of happy memories they shared.
Her life spanned a world of change. From humble beginnings, the great depression, two world wars, changing nationalities, peace, prosperity, cultural change, major technical advances and finally being blessed with the wisdom that age brings to only some. She was a special person and will be greatly missed.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Glen Wesley Winberg Sr. and a son, Rolando E. Winberg of Panama.
Survivors include two sons, Glen Wesley (Marta) Winberg Jr., of Buford, Ga., and Lawrence E. “Ernie” Winberg of Fairhope; four daughters, Odie (Cleve) Soper of Daphne, Aly (Fred) Hill of Daphne, Mildred (Jim) Quinley of Fayetteville, Ga., and Debbie (Jack) Fleming of Spanish Fort; daughter-in-law Maritza Winberg of Panama; sister, Eneida (David) Silvera of Panama; 16 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren (one on the way), sister-in-law, AnnaLaura Hall of Fairhope; many nieces and nephews.
Visitation will begin at 2 p.m. with a A Celebration of Life Service at 3 p.m. Saturday, March 1 at Wolfe-Bayview Funeral Home in Fairhope.
Honorary pallbearers will be Rolando E. Winberg Jr., Micheal T. Soper, Stephen E. Winberg, Glenn F. Hill, Eric A. Winberg, Aaron P. Winberg and Alex M. Winberg.
A private internment will take place at the Colony Cemetery.
The family requests memorial donations be made to Mercy Medical Hospice Program, 101 Villa Dr. P.O. Box 1090, Daphne, AL 36526-1090 or the charity of your choice.
Arrangements are by Wolfe-Bayview Funeral Homes & Crematory Inc., Fairhope.
