Esther F. Souders, 86

Esther F. Souders, 86, of Lancaster, PA, passed away on Tuesday, December 27, 2011 at the Lancaster General Hospital.

Born in Lancaster, she was the daughter of the late Chester F. and Frieda E. Stoe Souders.

Esther had worked as a secretary in the president’s office at Armstrong World Industries for 43 years, until her retirement in 1986. She has also been employed at the St. Joseph Catholic Church Rectory for 25 years.

She was a 1943 graduate of Lancaster Catholic High School. Esther was an active member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, where she was a member of the Altar Rosary Society and the Legion of Mary. She was also a member of the St. Anne’s Auxiliary and the International Federation of Catholic Alumnae.

Esther enjoyed sports, playing cards, and loved spending time with her family.

She is survived by her 2 brothers, Gerald L. married to Sybil Souders of Richardson, TX, and Robert F. married to Delores Souders of Pequea; her sister, Jane L. Mussell of Dallas, TX and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her 6 sisters, Florence Haller, Hilda Baumler, Freda and Mildred Souders, Rose Marie Zimmerman, and Mary Josephine Benedict, and by her 4 brothers, John C., Thomas J., James, and Anthony Souders.

Friends may call on Friday, December 30, 2011 from 7-9PM at the Charles F. Snyder Funeral Home & Crematory, 414 E. King St., Lancaster, PA  with the recitation of the Rosary at 8:30PM. Friends may call again on Saturday, December 31, 2011 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 440 St. Joseph St., Lancaster, PA 17603, from 10-11AM, with the Mass of Christian Burial to follow at 11AM,  with Msgr. Thomas H. Smith and Rev. Joseph Hilbert as Celebrants. Interment in St. Joseph New Catholic Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please make contributions in Esther’s memory to St. Joseph Catholic Church Old Cemetery Restoration Fund at the above address. To send an online condolence, please visit SnyderFuneralHome.com. Charles F. Snyder Funeral Home and Crematory 393-9661