Hester Stroop

Hester Elizabeth Stroop
ca. 1924

Hester Elizabeth STROOP, daughter of  Rutherford Burchard Hayes STROOP (1877-1951) & Margaret Hester “Maggie” SMALL (1878-1947), was born on 7 Jun 1901 in Pittsburgh, Allegheny, Pennsylvania, USA. She died in San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA, on 30 Jun 1963; she was 62. Burial was in Golden Gate National Cemetery, San Bruno, San Mateo, USA. See Memorial #39966367 on findagrave.com.

I REMEMBER HESTER

By Clyde

I remember Hester, my oldest sister who was always so bright and cheerful. She always looks on the bright side of everything.

I remember how pretty she was as a young girl - she must have taken after Mother.

I remember Hester and Ethel running away from home when we lived on Clark Street.

I remember how smart she was in school, and how hard I tried to keep my marks up to hers.

I remember her beautiful voice, especially at Mother’s church service.

I remember how we would plot to fool Pop - and how we usually didn’t succeed.

I remember how much love she had, and has, for all of us.

I remember how bossy she was, except with me.

I remember how much I loved her - and still do!

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I REMEMBER HESTER

By Ethel

I remember Hester when we lived on Wallace Avenue and had the playhouse in the back yard, and I suggested that we could use a “shoe-shine” table Father had in the attic, so I told Hester to stand under the attic window and I’d throw it down to her. I can remember her yet standing with her arms up as I tossed it down! As it cut the air, some sixth sense must have warned her because she started running away - Lucky too, because that heavy oak table would have killed her - there was nothing larger than inch-sized splinters left of it, and Father never did find out what became of his shoe-shine outfit. I was about 7 years old when this happened.

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I REMEMBER HESTER

By Hayes

I remember how beautifully she used to sing “Gates of the Temple” - how in love with love she was - how much like Mother she has always seemed to me - how amazed I am this minute at how she took off weight - how good she treated me in Philadelphia when I needed help as an irresponsible brat (which I was!) - how much I always enjoyed visiting her - and how much she loved Mother and Dad. (She loves us all too!)

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I REMEMBER HESTER

By Violet

I remember Hester - dressing the “3 of us” for Sunday School and trying to make us keep clean! - Allowing me, with the kind of “kindness” only Hester has, to keep the light burning all nite, every nite, to watch Bobbie Ann - don’t ask me why I had to watch her all nite - but I did!

I remember Hester - singing “Open the Gates of the Temple” with Mama accompanying her. Hester’s voice was beautiful and I used to just marvel at her being able to sing like that.

I remember Hester - walking up Empire Street late at nite with Mama, calling “Papaya, Papaya, Banana-Papaya” until Mama would shout with laughter, and even Daddy would twinkle.

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I REMEMBER HESTER

By Bertie

I remember Hester with her hair - beautiful, long, brown and curly - hanging down her back. One particular instance that I remember is when she was practicing “Open the Gates of the Temple”. I thought she had the most beautiful soprano voice - all soprano voices I had heard have not been half as beautiful as hers! I remember Hester and her Christmas packages home after she left the Isthmus - how excited we all were toward Christmas time! But Mother always made us wait until Christmas Morning!

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I REMEMBER HESTER

By Doris

I remember Hester used to curl my hair and if I moved my head she’d hit me on the head with that big bone comb - (I never completely recovered!)

I remember how lost I felt when she got married and went away. When she came back she took up where she left off.

I remember she was always so good to me, my husband, and especially my children.

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I REMEMBER HESTER

By Bobbie Ann (niece)

Sending Xmas packages! That was one of the big moments of my year.

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