Esther Marie Burton, 72
June 26, 1946-Oct. 11, 2018
Esther Marie Burton, 72, passed away peacefully at St. James Healthcare on Oct. 11, 2018.
"Moonie" was a nickname that she was affectionately called throughout her life by her sisters, cousins, nieces and nephews.
Esther was born in Whitehall June 26, 1946 to Harry and Esther Fogliani. Esther's family moved to Butte and she attended St. Joseph's Elementary School, Butte Central High School and then graduated from Butte High School. After graduation she attended beauty school and began her career as a beautician. Esther then married Larry Burton and decided to stay home to raise their three daughters, Sheri, Lisa and Stacey. Larry's job moved the family a few times while the girls were younger. These moves were more of a family adventure that brought them to Iowa, North Dakota and California. It was fun to experience different parts of the country and pick up good friends along the way. Eventually in 1985 they moved back to Butte permanently. After the girls were grown, Esther went back to beauty school and enjoyed the chance to meet new friends. Esther and Larry divorced in 1997 and shortly after she moved to Littleton, Colorado to be closer to her daughters and their families. She loved being close to her girls and watching her grandkids grow. Her greatest sense of pride was her family and we were truly blessed to have such a close relationship with her.
Upon moving to Littleton, Esther worked at Dillard's and then went to work for Safeway. She loved working and found a happiness being on her own and spent a lot of time with her daughters. She had a special love that extended even to her daughters' friends and their children. She became an adoptive "grandma" to lots of friends' little kids whose own parents lived out of state.
Esther became the primary caregiver of her mother, Esther, who also moved down to Littleton. There were a lot of good years, happy times and a lot of laughs with family and friends in Colorado. Stacey and Nathan moved to Butte in 2015 and since her oldest grandchildren were growing up and going away to college, Esther decided to move back to Butte to be closer to her youngest grandchildren, Kyle and Rilynn. Those last few years in Butte were priceless times for our family. After many years apart, it was a true blessing that Esther and Larry were able to once again become friends. Our family was complete once more, and for that we are forever grateful.
Once back in Butte, Esther transferred to the Safeway there and quickly became a favorite among customers and co-workers. She was quick to offer help to those who needed it. On occasion, she'd come across some young mothers whose debit cards were declined. Rather than send them on their way, Esther opened up her heart and paid for their groceries. There was once when a lady actually came back into the store and paid her back. Her generosity knew no limits.
Over the years and several states lived, Esther has accumulated many friends along the way. She was always one to have fun and be silly. That is what her friends will most remember about her. She loved music, dancing and socializing.
In their earlier years, the Burton family would spend their summer weekends camping, fishing and dune buggying in their favorite secluded mountain lakes of Montana. Esther and Larry belonged to Dance Club for years and always enjoyed playing cards with their parents and family friends. She also loved gardening and always had the most beautiful flowers around. She would spend hours planting each summer and spending time taking care of them. She also loved crafts of all kinds and one of our most treasured, are the Christmas houses she painted. She had the patience to make them perfect and set up a beautiful village each year.
Esther was preceded in death by her father, Harry, and her sister, Marge Becky.
Esther is survived by her mother, Esther Fogliani; sister, Kathy and Gary Hammond; her daughters and their families, Sheri and Mark Trevenna and their sons, Eric and Evan; Lisa and Troy Valdez and their daughter Hailey; and Stacey and Nathan Taylor and their kids Alexandria, Kyle and Rilynn. She is also survived by several beloved in-laws, cousins, nieces and nephews.
Esther's celebration of life service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 20, 2018, at the Butte Evangelical Free Church, 2210 Florence Ave. A reception will follow at the same location.
Axelson Alternative Cremation is privileged to serve Esther’s family.