Esther Lorraine Huston, 89, of Sacramento, CA passed away peacefully at home on April 26th.

Esther was born on July 10, 1934, in Chicago, IL to Ora and Barbara Huston. After graduating from Elgin High School, she went on to attend Manchester College where she earned her BA in Elementary Education.  She taught elementary school in Nappanee, IN for several years after which time she left teaching to join BVS (Brethren Volunteer Service), an international serving organization similar to the Peace Corps. After her 2-year service with BVS she enrolled in the University of Illinois where she graduated with an MA in Library Science.  After graduating, Esther traveled to Seoul, South Korea where she served as a short-term missionary with the United Methodist Church.

On her return from Korea, Esther took a position in Colorado Springs, which began her 32-year career as a librarian.  She then moved to Sacramento, CA where she worked in the Reference Section of the California State Law Library.  She served the needs of state legislatures there until her retirement.

Throughout her life, Esther held a keen interest in international culture and a deep passion for the underprivileged of the world.  This expressed itself in travels abroad and in her early involvement with Heifer International, an organization formed to end global hunger and poverty. She carried that same passion into her Sacramento community, serving on the Executive Board and the Family Selection Committee of Habitat for Humanity. Esther was a strong advocate for the underprivileged and gave generously to social-justice and humanitarian causes.

Esther also served many years in her beloved church, St. Marks United Methodist, where she was a member of UWF, sang in the choir, and volunteered for numerous other activities up until her death. 

Esther is preceded in death by her parents and survived by her brother, Albert and his wife, Margaret, and by her nieces and nephew, Mary Custalow, Elizabeth Johnston and Rob Huston.

A memorial service will be held at St. Marks United Methodist Church on Thursday, May 9 at 1:00 PM. A private family service will be held in Brownsville, MD.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Marks United Methodist Church or Heifer International.