Obituary of Esta Sweatman

Esta Audrey Sweatman (nee Wright) passed away peacefully on February 27, 2020, two weeks shy of her 91st birthday. Esta was born March 13, 1929 to George and Mary (nee Johnson) Wright. She was the tenth of eleven children raised on a farm in the West Bend area. She completed Grade 9 at Firefly School and then Grade 10 and 11 by correspondence. At the age of 17, she left home to seek employment and eventually became a housekeeper for Gilbert and Hilda Sweatman, their four sons and some elderly relatives. Hugh was the second youngest of the sons and besides his charm, the air force uniform may have won her heart. Hugh and Esta were married November 5, 1947. Soon after, they started a family; Elaine was born in June of 1949 and Dennis, December of 1951. It was time to have their own place so in 1953 the farmhouse was built. Mom was pregnant with her third child when her mom passed away. Remaining strong, she continued on and in May of 1954, Jonah was born; Marilee in May of 1958 and Jack, December of 1959. She milked cows, drove the tractor and grain truck etc. She toughed through some devastating losses; her childhood farmhouse burned when she was about 14 and the family farmhouse in 2017. She was predeceased by her husband Hugh on October 17, 2005; parents; dad's parents; her sisters: Lillian (Ervin) Weiss, Florence (Audley) Vansickle, Edna (Bob) Berard, Mildred (Harry) Bruner, Velva (Duke) Hartt; her brothers: Walter, Lewis, William (Gloria), Lawrence (Jean), Maurice (Alma); several nieces and nephews and many close friends. She is survived by one sister-in-law, Gloria Wright; one brother-in-law, Bill Hartt; her five children and their families; Elaine Wright, Dennis (Leona) Sweatman, Jonah Sweatman (Faye Tam), Marilee Lazar (Wayne), Jack Sweatman (Liz); grandchildren: Jim (Jodie) Burnett, Gord Burnett (Erin Dalton); Twila (Wes) Vencatasamy, Letitia (Chris) Wiebe; Nancy (Kirk) Zawislak, Ian Lazar; Geoffrey and Erica Sweatman; 16 great grandchildren: Sophie Burnett; Telietha, Aazrael, Davian, Samyrah, Alaiya Vencatasamy; Athena, Josiah, Emmy- Lou, Mila, Hope, Mindy-Mae, Benaiah and Shoshona Wiebe; Ava and Rory Zawislak. Esta was a very active member of the community; she sat on many boards and was active in politics, the UCW, the Homemakers club, the church as choir member and organist, the Legion, the Lioness club, the curling club as both participant and lunch convener for the concession, organizer and member of the community and unit band. Her message, 'it is a privilege, not a right to live in a community' so volunteer. Esta will be most remembered for her beauty both in and out; her sense of humour, love of music, devotion to family and friends, community and province. The funeral service was held on Saturday, September 5, 2020 from St. Margaret Mary Church in Kelliher with Rev. Brian Mee officiating. Organist, Lilyan Eliason played 'Lead Kindly Light', and 'Softly and Tenderly', she also plyed a rendition of Esta's favorite hymns. Family members, Jonah and the grandchildren gave tributes to Esta and a powerpoint presentation was also played. The interment took place in the Kelliher Memorial Gardens with son Jack serving as the urnbearer. Memorials may be made to the Kelliher Legion #219, or to St. Paul United Church as tokens of remembrance. Condolences can be left at baileysfuneralhome.com Service Details. Service When: Saturday, September 5th, 2020 2:00pm Location: St. Margaret Mary Parish Address: Corner of King St. & Third Ave. KELLIHER, SK S0A 1V0 Interment Location: Kelliher Memorial Gardens Address: South of HWY 15 at Kelliher Garnock Road KELLIHER, SK S0A 1V0