ALBEMARLE, N.C. - Esther Marie Hillriegel Walsh, known for her steadfast love for the Lord Jesus and tender heart for the people around her, passed away Nov. 5, 2024 (age 83) in Albemarle, North Carolina.

Born Nov. 2, 1941 in Margaretville, Esther lived a full life of humble service. At an early age, she developed a love for music and served as a church pianist for decades. She was a first-grade teacher in Bristol, Connecticut and worked at New York state's Margaretville SOCR for 15 years, caring for residents with mental illness. Until her battle with Alzheimer's disease, she was an active volunteer at church and throughout Delaware County.

Esther's educational path took her from the one-room Belleayre schoolhouse on Millbrook Road to Margaretville Central School, a bachelor's degree at Berkshire Christian College, and a Master's in education at Western Connecticut State University. While in college, she met classmate the Rev. S. Hayden Walsh and married him Sept. 27, 1969. Together, they had three sons and served the Lord in five different churches, including the Margaretville Advent Christian Church.

Esther was preceded in death by parents, Harold and Leona (Wood) Hillriegel; husband, S. Hayden Walsh; oldest sister, Kathleen Avery; and older brothers, Carlton Hillriegel and George Hillriegel, as well as brothers-in-law, William Avery and Ernest Hanselman; and sister-in-law, Gail Hillriegel.

She is survived by her three sons, Samuel (Janelle) Walsh of Princeton, West Virginia; Jeffrey (Rhonda) Walsh of Stanfield, North Carolina; and Jonathan (Emily) Walsh of Mount Vernon, Iowa; sisters, Harriett Hanselman of South Kortright; Caroleen (John) Hungerford of Gansevoort; and Martha (Stan) Yin of Davis, California; brothers, Harold Hillriegel, Jr. of La Habra, California and Daniel (Carolyn) Hillriegel of Newport, Vermont; and by sister-in-law, Joan Hillriegel of Yulan. Also surviving are beloved grandchildren, Benjamin, Megan, Isaac, Curtis, Ethan, Franklin, Joshua and Edwin Walsh. Her many nieces and nephews (and their families) were all in her thoughts and prayers.

The funeral service will be at 1 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 19, at the Margaretville Advent Christian Church at 109 Maple St. in Margaretville with Elder John Lehmann officiating. Committal will be in the Margaretville Cemetery Annex. The family appreciates the loving care from Bethany Woods Nursing & Rehabilitation Center and Hynes Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be given to the Margaretville Advent Christian Church.