March 31, 1936 – July 23, 2021
Esther Louise Cunningham McMillan, 85, of Sanford, ME passed away on Friday, July 23, 2021, at home, with family by her side.
Born in Gloucester on March 31, 1936, she was the daughter of the late John and Nora (Bowles) Cunningham.
Esther grew up in Rockport, with two younger sisters and two younger brothers. After graduating from Rockport High School, she married Carroll McMillan, and they had six children: Carole, Stephen, Michael, Janet, Laurie, and Diane. Esther loved spending time with family and friends, especially her grandchildren, and she was a talented gardener. She was known for welcoming people into her home, her boundless compassion, and her positive attitude. Most of her career was spent working in hospitals, especially Melrose Hospital and Lahey Clinic. She completed a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Pastoral Ministry as an adult student at Emmanuel College in Boston. Esther spent many years raising her family in Reading, where she was active in Saint Agnes Church. She retired to Sanford, ME, with her husband. She loved visiting family in Ireland and enjoyed the music of Daniel O’Donnell.
Esther is survived by her husband, Carroll McMillan; her six children, Carole McNair, Stephen McMillan and wife Lorna, Michael McMillan and wife Stacia, Janet Talbot and husband, Dan, Laurie McMillan and Diane Hoenig and husband, Lance, and her fourteen grandchildren, Christopher Hoffman and wife, Pooja, Zachary Hoffman and wife Makenna, Lauren McNair, Bridget McMillan, Catherine “Cassie” McMillan, Sean McMillan and Madilyn McMillan, Kevin McMillan, Patrick Scanlan, Callie Anderson and Jace Anderson, and Ethan Hoenig, Ella Hoenig, and Addison Hoenig, her great-grandchildren Audrey Hoffman and Riley Hoffman. Her sister, Marie Cunningham, her brother, John Cunningham, her nephews, David Luleich and wife, Gina, and John “Pipes” Luleich and wife Lissa and many more nephews, nieces, and friends. She was predeceased by her son-in-law, Michael McNair, her sister, Margaret “Margie” Cunningham, and her brother, George Cunningham.
Funeral from the Doherty Barile Family Funeral Home 11 Linden St. READING Thursday, July 29, 2021, at 9:30 am followed by a Funeral Mass Celebrating Esther’s Eternal Life in St. Agnes Church 186 Woburn St. Reading at 10:30 am. Interment will be in Beech Grove Cemetery, Rockport. Family and friends are kindly invited to gather and share memories with the family on Wednesday, July 28th from 4 pm to 8 pm. in the funeral home. Parking attendants and elevator available. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations in memory of Esther to Saint Agnes Church 186 Woburn St. Reading MA 01867 or Holy Family Church of Rockport MA
