Esther Edwards

Mary “Esther” Edwards Mary “Esther” Edwards of Roswell, died Nov. 28, at Heartfelt Manor. She was 96. Esther had been a Roswell resident since 2005, when she and her late husband, David Joseph Edwards, moved from Sioux Falls, S.D., to be near their daughter, Renee Swickard, and to play golf year round. She was born March 10, 1920, in Garretson, S.D., to Hans “Gus” and Mary Martin Andersen. Esther worked at Fenn’s Candy Co. in Sioux Falls for 30 years, starting in 1938, after graduating from Cathedral High School in Sioux Falls. She later worked for the Sioux Falls Argus-Leader. Esther met Joe Edwards at a dance at the Arkota Ballroom in Sioux Falls in 1944. The couple married on Nov. 12, 1945. They continued dancing every Saturday night throughout most of their married life. Besides dancing, they shared a passion for golf, playing almost every day throughout the year in Roswell. Esther regularly played golf until she was 90 years old. Esther and Joe also loved playing cards and hosting parties for their friends. Joe preceded her in death in 2011. From 1981 until 2005, Esther and Joe spent each winter in Roswell, commuting from South Dakota in October and returning each April in time to plant their summer garden. Esther canned produce from the garden and brought it to Roswell. Her daughter and granddaughter coveted her canned tomatoes and returned the empty jars to be refilled the following year. She is survived by one daughter, Renee Swickard, and husband Jack; one grandson, Derek Swickard, and his wife, Amber, of Lubbock; one granddaughter, Meredith Haws, and husband, Paul, of Albuquerque; and six great-grandchildren, Ceressa Swickard, Machala Swickard, Raquel Swickard, Taylor Laux, Teryn Laux and Torrance Laux. Her sister, Lucille McGuire, preceded her in death. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 6, at St. Peter Catholic Church in Roswell. Father Charlie Martinez will officiate. Her cremains will be buried beside her husband’s at Woodlawn Cemetery in Sioux Falls on a later date. Her family expresses thanks for the loving care given to Esther at Heartfelt Manor. In lieu of flowers, the family requests a donation to the Altrusa Foundation of Roswell, P.O. Box 1251, Roswell, N.M. 88202 or to the charity of your choice. Obituary was lovingly written by the family. Anderson Bethany Funeral Home and Crematory is in charge of arrangements. Please share your thoughts and memories with the family at andersonbethany.com.

Esther Edwards

March 10, 1920 - November 28, 2016