Obituary of Esther McEntee

Esther Madeline McEntee (nee Atchison) of Sacramento, CA formerly Pompton Plains, NJ passed away on July 13, 2022.

Born in East Orange, NJ, Esther (Essie and Es) was the daughter of Robert and Mildred Atchison and wife of John (Jack) L McEntee. Esther was a graduate of East Orange General Nursing School and was named “Best all around nurse” in her class, something she was very proud of. Esther married Jack in 1948 and started their family in Philadelphia, PA while Esther worked as a nurse and Jack pursued his college degree. The family moved to Village Road “The Village” in Pompton Plains NJ in 1954. They settled into that wonderful community and made lifelong friends.  They moved to Mead Place in 1965, where Jack & Es remained until 2007.  

Esther was a true renaissance woman, raising her daughters to know they could do anything or be anything. She was “green” before it was a trend, riding her bicycle around town. She could also be seen riding her moped!  She loved hiking on Turkey Mountain and shared that love with her daughters and grandkids.  She imparted her love of sewing, knitting, crocheting and crafting during her time as a Girl Scout and Brownie leader for her daughters’ troops. After retiring she turned her creative skills into a business selling her crafts. Many will remember her from Dr. Mandrodt and Dr Ross’s office as their nurse. Others will remember her from her volunteerism with The Historical Society, Contact Hotline, and the Battered Women’s Shelter. A great moment for the McEntee family was when Esther was named Citizen of the Year and Jack was Grand Marshall of the Memorial Day parade in Pompton Plains.  

She loved big hugs and welcomed everyone in her home as if they were family.  She was an incredible mother, friend and ally who was there for many who needed her. Es and Jack hosted many parties with their amazing circle of friends. She loved singing, dancing the jitterbug, or any dance for that matter.  Both Esther and Jack came from large families so when they hosted family picnics it was always a great time.  She had her “girl’s club” and cherished all of you.   

Esther is survived by her daughters, Susan McEntee (Harald Stemmler), Joan McEntee (Steve Zidonik), Patricia Troast (David) and Elizabeth McEntee (Roland Rome Jr); sisters Shirley Fisher (Fred dec.) and Arlene Johnston (Marc). Grandchildren Michael Troast (Cassandra), Ryan Stemmler and Kristian Stemmler; great grandchildren Rosalie, Annabel and Josephine Troast, Kaipo and Nahele Coast; many nieces and nephews and her bestie Carol Butler Sullivan – a lifelong friend and sister from another mother.  She was predeceased by her husband John in 2007, mother Mildred, father Robert, twin sister Ruth, brothers Alan, John, Glenn and her granddaughter Elizabeth Joan Troast (Kawai Carvalho).

Visiting hours will be held from 4:00 to 8:00 pm Friday, July 29 at the M. John Scanlan Funeral Home. A funeral service will be held 10:00 am Saturday at the funeral home. Interment will follow at First Reformed Cemetery, Pompton Plains.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Esther’s memory can be made to The Dementia Society of America, PO Box 600 - Doylestown, PA 18901 USA , https://www.dementiasociety.org