Esther J Hensley

On March 1, 2014, Esther passed away peacefully at Hospice By the Sea, in Boca Raton, Florida, following complications of a stroke. Esther was 89 years old.

Esther Hensley was born in Rochester, New York, on April 15, 1924. She was the third child of Stanley Zagurski and Josephine Nowicki Zagurski.

Esther worked for a short time at a casino in Reno, Nevada, and later for several years at Delco in Rochester, New York. Following that, she took pride in serving as full time caregiver for her beloved husband, Jim, during his extended convalescence and until he passed 1983. She considered him to be a perfect southern gentleman, and was extremely proud of him and his service to our nation. Jim served as an Air Force navigator during the Korean War.

She was also a professional hairdresser, and while in Florida gave haircuts for home bound men and women. She enjoyed art and taught ceramics, creating many beautiful pieces of her own.

Esther enjoyed reading, gardening, dancing, and playing golf. She also enjoyed travel, and visited many places including Hawaii, China, Spain, Portugal, Eastern Europe and Poland. She greatly enjoyed the southern Florida clime, and lived in that state for over 30 years.

Esther was preceded in death by her father, Stanley Zagurski and mother Josephine Nowicki Zagurski; husband James Hensley; brothers and sisters Edward Zagurski, Virginia Christianson, and Donald Zagurski; and former husband Michael Michaels.

Esther is survived by her sister, Florence Roth; sons Ronald (Ji Eun Lee) Michaels, Wayne (Kathy Jo Connors) Michaels, Dennis Michaels; grandchildren Karie (Eric Durka) Michaels, Chris (Erin) Michaels, Barry Michaels, Shannon (Jerry) DeRomanis; great grandchildren Justin and Joshua Michaels; former daughters-in-law Betty Michaels and Gail Michaels; also her close friend Sylvia, of Deerfield Beach, and many nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be announced at a later time. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Disabled American Veterans, PO Box 14301, Cincinnati, OH 45250-0301 or to St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church, 370 SW 3rd St., Boca Raton, FL 33432.

Special thanks are extended to the caregivers at Hospice by the Sea, The Horizon Club Senior Living Community, Advocare (Jill and Roberta), and Esther's physician, Dr. Strobis.

Condolences may be shared through Forest Lawn Funeral Home at http://www.dignitymemorial.com.