Chief Master Sergeant Esther F. MacKay, US Air Force, retired, the oldest living Air Force Chief Master Sergeant, died on Friday, December 21st at her home. She was 102 years old. Born in Plainville MA, Esther grew up in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia where the only opportunity for major employment was to attend Teachers’ Training. Miss MacKay went on to teach in rural one room schoolhouses in Cape Breton. In 1930 Esther returned to the United States to seek permanent employment. Esther graduated from the banford hairdressing Academy,in Boston in 1938. In 1943 she enlisted in the Women’s Army Auxiliary Corp to do her part in the defense of her country. She was deployed in England and France and did a second tour in Germany. Esther was in London on the day World War II ended. She was transferred to the Air Force in 1948 and was relocated to Westover AFB in Massachusetts. In 1949 she was called to the Pentagon, working in the Immediate Office of the Secretary of Defense. In 1957 Chief MacKay was sent to NORAD Command Headquarters. She retired in 1965. Chief MacKay had been named an Honorary Charter Chief by the Charter Chiefs Group Board of Directors and was inducted into the organization on August 10 of this year. She was only the third woman to receive this honor. During her years of service Chief MacKay was awarded several awards and decorations including, Air Force Good Conduct Medal, Good Conduct Medal with two silver loops, Women’s Army Corps Service Medal, American Campaign Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, World War II Victory Medal (Germany), National Defense Service Medal, Air Force Longevity Service Award Ribbon with four bronze oak leaf clusters, USAF NCO Academy Graduate Ribbon and Joint Commendation Medal.
Dear daughter of the late Daniel D. and Collina (MacDonald) MacKay. Loving sister of the late Jessie M. Kachianes and William A. MacKay. Aunt of Colene Dodsworth and her husband Merle of PEI, Canada. Great Aunt of David Dodsworth and his wife Jane of Medway and Jerrilyn Rinaldi and her husband David of North Reading. Also survived by 4 great great nephews and one great great great niece. Visiting hours will be held in the Eaton Funeral Home 1351 Highland Ave, Needham on Friday, Jan. 4, 2008 from 4-7 PM, followed by a Memorial Service with Military Honors at 7 PM.
Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend. Interment will take place in the MacKay Cemetery in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. In lieu of flowers donations in Esther’s name may be made to the New England Shelter for Homeless Veterans, 17 Court St., Boston MA 02118 or to the MacKay Cemetery Association RR#2, West Bay, Nova Scotia BOE 3KO Canada.