Obituary of Esther G. Nixon

Esther G. Nixon – longtime Lockport teacher Nixon, Esther G. of Lockport, NY, passed away on Thursday November 20, 2008 in Lakeside Beikirch, Brockport, NY. She was born on April 27, 1917 in Batavia, NY, and was the daughter of Allen W. and Eva Radley Gillard. She was a graduate of Batavia High School and the former Geneseo Normal School. She received a B.A. in education from the former Buffalo State Teacher’s College. At Geneseo Normal School she was a member of the Debate Team and President of the Student Body. She also placed the 1938 cornerstone for the newest building on campus. After graduation, she took a bike trip with her best friend to Europe just before WWII. She was a teacher for a total of 29 years, one year in Wellsville, NY and 28 years in Lockport at DeWitt Clinton, North Park, Lockport High School and DeSales. She specialized as a reading teacher and often was recognized in town by former students who said, “you taught me to read”. She was very active in the community, first as a city parks baseball mom and Y-teen supporter and later as a president and longtime member of the following, Lockport Teachers Association, the YWCA – Board of Directors, Wyndam Lawn and Lockport College Womens Club. She also participated regularly in the Humanities Program At the Lockport Senior Centre and also received the Women of the Year Award For IWD (International Womens Decade). She very much enjoyed spirited Discussions on a variety of subjects, reading biographies and collecting owls. Wife of the late Duncan A. Nixon, she is the mother of David Michael (late Barbara) Nixon of Rochester, NY and Anne (David) Norton of Hilton, NY. Predeceased by her sister Janet Gillard (late Donald O.) Nixon, aunt of Duncan A. (Deborah) Nixon of VA and Thomas E. (Margaret) Nixon of AL And several nieces, nephews and step grandchildren. Calling hours are Sunday, November 23, 2008 from 2:00 to 5:00 PM at Lange Funeral Home, Inc. Funeral Home, Inc., 186 East Ave., Lockport, NY where sharing of memories will be at 3:00 PM. Memorials may be made in her memory to the Lockport Public Library. You may post a message of sympathy at www.langefuneralhomeinc.com.