Esther J. Rector

Esther J. Rector, age 90, passed away peacefully with her family by her side on June 13th of 2024 at the Penn Yan Manor Nursing Home. 

Esther was born in Penn Yan on July 29, 1933, to the late Harold and Ruth (Thayer) McMaster. She graduated from Penn Yan Academy and then attended the Rochester Business Institute. On June 1, 1957, she married Alan S. Rector and together raised their children on the family dairy farm in Milo. In 1980, they sold the dairy farm and bought 53 acres of vineyard and sold handpicked table grapes to local stores and markets until retirement in 2013. She enjoyed traveling to Florida during the winter months, square dancing at the Penn Yan Grange, tending to her flowerbeds, raising miniature German Schnauzers and playing cards. In her later years, word search puzzles and SkipBo were her favorite activities. 

She is survived by her son, Gregory (Donna) Rector, and daughter, Jeanne (Jeffrey Finger) DeWick; four grandchildren, Steven (Linda) Rector, Jeremy Rector, Kyle DeWick, and Kari (Drew) Bezek; five great-grandchildren, Chase and Brooke; Deacon, Kaden, and Dawson; sister-in-law, Joyce Rector; and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her beloved husband of 60 years, Alan in 2018. She was also predeceased by her sister and brother-in-law, Shirley and Clyde Sisson; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Janice Rector (Thomas) McClure, Richard (Edith) Rector, and John Rector. 

Family, friends and others who knew Esther are invited to Weldon Funeral Home at 102 E. Main Street in Penn Yan on Thursday, June 20th. Calling hours will be from 1pm-3pmwith a funeral service at 3pm and then the burial immediately following at Lakeview Cemetery. 

The family would like to thank the staff at Clinton Crest Manor and Penn Yan Manor Nursing home for her care over the past 6 years. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Keuka Comfort Care Home, 35 NY-54, Penn Yan, NY 14527.