Esther Gold (nee Bodnar) of Camarillo, California (formerly Homewood, Illinois) passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her family on July 23, 2021, at the age of almost 103. Esther was born at home in South Holland, Illinois on October 21, 1918, at the height of the Spanish flu pandemic. More than 100 years later, she would also remain safe from the Coronavirus, succumbing to age rather than to the pandemic.
Esther and her soulmate, the late Fred B. Gold, had a long and happy life together, and celebrated their 73rd wedding anniversary shortly before Fred passed away in 2016. Following their wedding on December 18, 1943, they immediately moved to California, where Fred was stationed in the U.S. Army, and Esther worked as a secretary on the base. After the war, they moved back to Illinois and started a family in 1947, where they raised four children in a house filled with love and humor.
Esther and Fred were fortunate to travel extensively around the world during their years together, mostly through award travel earned by Fred through his long-term position with State Farm Insurance. They purchased a painting from nearly every country they visited and enjoyed reliving their experiences through their home gallery of art. Some years ago, they started spending winters in California with two of their daughters. In the Spring of 2016, they left the Midwest winters behind and moved full time to California.
Esther was known for her beauty. At the age of 8 years old, she was selected as the girl with the “Million Dollar Movie Face” and cast in George Thorsen’s movie “The Artist Lover” which was being filmed in Chicago in 1927. She remained incredibly youthful looking and attractive throughout her life, often causing people to exclaim with surprise about her age.
Esther graduated from Saint Xavier College in 1940 with a degree in Psychology. Although she didn’t work outside the home while she raised her family, she went back to work in 1979, working as Office Manager for two successful physicians in Chicago Heights, Illinois until she retired in 1997 at the age of 79.
Esther’s outgoing personality, keen sense of humor, genuine love for people, and a true “gift of gab” made her popular and adored. Most who spent time with her, never forgot her. She remained mentally sharp until the end, reading several books each week, playing challenging word games on her iPad, and watching CNN every day.
Esther is preceded in death by her parents Susan Toth Bodnar and Henry Bodnar; siblings Henry J. Bodnar, Charlotte Cedarblade, and Lydia Bodnar. She is survived by her four children: Fred G. Gold (Kathleen) formerly of Homewood, IL, Gayle Gold (Dennis Chandler) of Madison, WI, Cynthia Treutelaar (Douglas) of Ventura, CA, and Patricia Gold of Simi Valley, CA.; five grandchildren: Julie Gold Wang (Tommy), Brian Riley (Chris), Lee Riley, Jen Witkowsky (Zack), and Christian Hedberg (Elise); along with beloved great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.
Special heartfelt thanks and love to Esther’s closest friend and primary caregiver Sally Eckert-Smith, who was with her on an almost daily basis since 2016. The family also thanks the incredible support group of additional long-term caregivers, without whom Esther would not have been able to remain at home, especially Clarissa, Sabrina, Kris, and Norma.
There will be no memorial service per Esther’s request. In lieu of flowers to the family, donations to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital would be welcome, in appreciation for their awe-inspiring work against childhood cancer.