Esther Chiprut-Weinstein
Esther Chiprut-Weinstein was buried at the Seattle Sephardic Brotherhood on July 24, 2017.
Here is the eulogy from Esther’s sister, Louise.
Monday, July 24, 2017
Hello everyone,
Steve, I want to thank you for keeping my sister alive for 3 more years . . . so we could talk, hold hands and I could kiss her good-bye. You have been truly amazing.
I really hit the jackpot when I got Esther for a sister. Even though we were five years apart, we were always close. She was an incredibly loving sister, daughter, cousin, friend and wife. She was so generous to my girls.
Esther learned the importance of tzedakah at home and spent many years involved in the organizations she held dear. Giving was a way of life for Esther. She introduced me to Hadassah, City of Hope, B’nai B’rith Women. She protected me during recess at John Muir, always letting me play with the big girls. (Do you remember, Pearl, Didi, Darlene?) She extended a perpetual safety net for me growing up. I could do anything just knowing Esther was around.
It was her responsibility to take me to synagogue on 17th and Fir each week. She never complained. The Kehila felt like home to Esther. She loved hearing the songs, the holidays, cooking her favorite comedas and especially going to camp with her girlfriends. She was so fortunate to have had such close friendships most of whom remained close until her death.
My dear sister had an ability to make friends wherever she went. always had the best advice for me, where to buy this, who to see for a haircut, where to get my nails done. She ‘d refer to them by name. “Go see my friend, Liz at Nordstrom’s Clinique counter.” Whatever I needed to know, she knew. One day driving on my way home, I called her as asked, “Hey Es, I need to get my car washed. I’m in Bellevue.
Without missing a beat, she’d tell me “There’s a brown bear on Bel Red, across the street from the Golden steer.” And she’d tell me the best way to get there to avoid traffic. “Stay away from Rose Hill. Don’t take 85th.”
I don’t know how she knew. She paid attention. And what a memory!
Esther enjoyed shopping. She was always put together well, from her enormous collection of shoes to all her matching accessories. Purses, scarves, socks, shoes!
My dear sister was responsible for Leonard and me meeting. She somehow knew he was the one. I’ll never forget how we used to laugh at things. Not just laugh, but things that made us peshar. And her laugh made me laugh.
Esther insisted and taught me precision…. No Lou…. You have to line it up like this. Otherwise it looks “schapschall”…. . And she was right.
Her hard work did not go unnoticed. She was awarded the Woman of Valor award for Hadassah and was given The President’s award for her years of work with City of Hope. She also received awards from work-related groups and for her dedication to Boeing, where she worked until retirement. The timing of her retirement was perfect. It allowed her to spend the final year with mom until mom’s passing. Esther commented often on how meaningful that time was for her.
If I could give her an award for being the best sister ever, I would, but truthfully, I think she already knew how I felt…. as she talked almost every day for years, and I let her know how much I loved her. It’s important to do that.
Esther fought many health battles in her life beginning at the age of 3 when she wore a full leg brace for 2 years. She always had a good attitude. As the diabetes progressed, she kept a positive spirit until the end.
I don’t think I’ll ever find the words to explain the depth this loss will have on our family and our community and particularly on me. There is nothing in the world more precious than the love between sisters.
Let us all be comforted in knowing she is no longer in pain. Happy trails, Es.
Ke repose in gan eden.