Esther ( Rosker ) Kandel, 90, died on Thursday, September 5. Esther was the 5th of 8 children born to the late Helen and Jacob Rosker. She was pre -deceased by her older sisters, Ida Labinger, Rebecca Rosker, and Pauline Kushnet and younger sibling, Harold Rosker. Her surviving siblings, Edith Bloom, Va., Frances Kasden and husband, Bill, Fl., and Annette Gavens and husband, Seymour of West Hartford will miss her terribly. Esther was born in Poland and immigrated to the United States in 1937. She graduated Weaver High School in 1942 and soon there after joined the U.S. Navy ( WAVES) in appreciation of all the wonderful opportunities this great country afforded her.

At wars end, she returned home and began a long career at the Aetna Insurance Company. Starting at some menial level, Esther worked her way up to becoming a secretary for a VP, by the time she retired.

Esther had no children of her own, but she loved her 14 nieces and nephews, her 25 great nieces and nephews and her 7 great, great nieces and nephews as if they were her own.

Esther was a Life Member of the Auxiliary of the Hebrew Home, West Hartford, the Greater Hartford Jewish Historical Society and the Hartford Chapter of Hadassah, where she generously gave her time and energy. In October of 1998, Hadassah honored Esther with their Hand of Healing Award. Esther loved music, especially classical; to read; do the NY Times crossword puzzles; folk dance and she loved to walk the West Hartford reservoirs. Five or six miles was a breeze to her and very often , she had a niece or nephew in tow. She spent almost 10 enjoyable years at SummerWood before needing extra care and moving to the Hebrew Health Care. The staff on 4 South were extraordinary.

Funeral services will be held Sunday, September 8, 2013 at 2 PM at the United Synagogues of Greater Hartford Cemetery, Waverly St., Hartford with Rabbi Ilana Garber officiating. Following interment, the family will receive friends at Beth El Temple, West Hartford. On Sun. a Minyon will be held at Annette’s home at 7:30 PM. After that, Annette will be happy to greet you at her home during the day, with all Minyons at 7:30 PM at Beth El Temple. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Greater Hartford Chapter of Hadassah, % Faith Helene, 43 Carlyle Rd., West Hartford, CT, 06117 or The Seymour and Annette Gavens Family Fund % Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Hartford, 333 Bloomfield Ave., Suite D, West Hartford, CT, 06117. Arrangements are entrusted to Weinstein Mortuary, Hartford. For further information, directions, or to sign the guest book for Esther, please visit online at www.weinsteinmortuary.com/funerals.cfm.