Obituary of Esther M. Ponzo

It is with profound sadness that the family of Esther M. Ponzo announce her passing on November 13, 2016 at Francis House. Esther Marie was born June 9, 1929 in Syracuse to the late John and Catherine (Haskell) Lynch. She was the youngest of three daughters. Esther was educated in schools in the Syracuse and Parish, New York areas. She was a graduate of Altmar-Parish High School. She headed out to the work world at the age of 18 and never looked back. With endless energy and determination, Esther worked at various jobs right up to the age of 75. She was a store clerk, waitress, telephone operator, elevator operator and school custodian. It was her last job within the Solvay School District that gave her the most joy. Since Esther never had children of her own, she became a "mother hen" to many of the young students who crossed her path over the years while she was on the custodial staff. In 1964 Esther married the love of her life, Edaro J. Ponzo on Cape Cod. Together they would eventually settle into the old Ponzo homestead at 208 Second Street in Solvay. Esther and Eddie were daily regulars at the Solvay Diner for many years. Grabbing a booth after daily Mass and "holding court" over matters large and small. Together they spent four happy decades in Solvay until Eddie's death in 2008. A devout Catholic, Esther attended Mass faithfully at both St. Cecilia's and the Sacred Heart of Jesus Basilica. There wasn't a novena in the Diocese of Syracuse that she hadn't attended over the years. Esther was a petite woman of deep faith in her widowhood. She was a "prayer warrior" for everyone and for many charitable causes. Esther never left her home without her rosary, novena cards, holy water, money to light a candle or two and of course, her Irish humor. Esther will be remembered as a devoted wife, beloved sister, cherished god-mother and dear aunt. She was a good neighbor and a friend to every stranger. Besides her parents and husband, Esther was pre-deceased by her step-mother, LaVerne Gerthoffer Wilber Lynch; her eldest sister, Mary Lynch Ellis; two step-brothers, Thomas and James Wilber. Survivors: left to mourn her passing include her sister, Catherine "Kitty" Lynch Schalk of Syracuse; "sister", Rose Gould of Cicero; sister-in-law, Jeanne Ponzo Furst of Maryland; god-son, Donald Schalk of Pennsylvania; god-daughter, JoAnn DeBottis of Cicero; many nieces and nephews scattered about the United States and abroad; many friends in Solvay; and her beloved cat Baxter. Services: 9:30 am Thursday at St. Cecilia Church, 1001 Woods Rd., Solvay where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated. The Rite of Committal and burial will follow in Onondaga County Veterans Cemetery. Calling hours will be 5 to 7p.m. Wednesday at Tindall Funeral Home, 1921 W Genesee St., Syracuse, NY. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Francis House, 108 Michaels Ave., Syracuse, NY 13208.