Esther Katherine Bryant

Born January 11, 1933, in Capac, Michigan. She was the daughter of Ferdinand Postina and Catherine Schwartzkopf Postina. Esther was preceded in death by her father and mother and her husband, John L. Bryant. Esther died February 13, 2023. She was a first generation American and the first-born of her family.

Esther began her piano studies at the age of four and played the piano nearly every day for the rest of her life. While she was in high school, she was asked by the superintendent of schools to teach piano to his two children. This began a 50-year career of teaching piano, theory, composition and organ to a diverse range of students. Esther was active in the Girl Scouts and enjoyed this activity enormously. She was confirmed in the Lutheran Church. During her childhood she performed with her sisters in churches in Michigan's thumb. She performed on radio and later on television. Esther graduated in 1954 from Asbury College in Wilmore, Kentucky, with a Bachelor of Arts degree and a diploma in piano. Her major was piano. She was honored by the College as recipient of the Lovejoy Scholarship. Esther attended Southern Methodist University's School of Music in Dallas, Texas, and graduated in 1963 with a Master of Music degree. She was honored by being invited to join Pi Kappa Lambda, honorary scholastic fraternity for musicians in Southern Methodist University's School of Music. She also earned a Certificate of Teaching for the State of Texas from Southern Methodist University. Esther was a member of the Dallas Music Teachers Association for several decades.

Esther met her future husband at Asbury College, Wilmore, Kentucky. They married April 25, 1954. They brought three boys into the world, twins Jay Kent, Jon Kyle and Dallas Garth.

Esther played the piano or organ for numerous churches for services, weddings, funerals and church camps in several states - Michigan, Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana and Texas. She performed in retirement homes, nursing homes, public schools, civic clubs, various women's clubs and SMU functions. She was also a choir director. She taught Sunday School classes. She was the pianist in a chamber music group for several years. Esther was published twice. In 1995 she released a recording featuring her arrangements, entitled "Soothe the Soul". In 2001 she released a recording. "Enrich the Spirit". She composed the music of the 2001 recording and was also the performer.

Esther taught class piano in The Dallas Independent School District; she taught music and art in the Highland Park Independent School District; and taught piano, theory, composition and organ to her private studio students.

Esther was an avid reader with a passion for intellectual pursuits. She enjoyed crossword puzzles. travel, tennis, walking for health, attending concerts. She was a member of the Dallas Genealogy Society, a member of the "Y" Wives, Kiwaniannes, a member of the Dallas Museum of Art, the Kimbell Museum in Fort Worth, the Meadows Museum at Southern Methodist University and the Nasher Sculpture Center in Dallas, Texas. She enjoyed visiting state botanic gardens, state capitol buildings and state and national parks.

Survived by sons Jay Kent Bryant (Robyn) of Eagle, Colorado; Jon Kyle Bryant (Nikki) of Richardson, Texas; Dallas Garth Bryant of Frisco, Texas; six grandchildren, Jasmine Mirelez (Jason), Zachary Bryant, Brittany Bryant, Dillon Bryant, Anthony Piccolo (Jennifer) and Maggie Piccolo (Christa); six great-grandchildren, Eli Mirelez, Aaron Mirelez, Sage Mirelez, Isabella Piccolo, Elijah Piccolo and Emilia Piccolo; three sisters, Louise Postina Rasmussen (Jerry), Gloria Postina Vigil (Ralph), Faith Postina Messner. Also numerous cousins (in the United States and abroad), nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held February 25, 2023, 11:00 am at Sparkman/Hillcrest Northwest Highway Chapel. The Reverend Christiana Olsen will officiate. The Reverend Olson was a former student of Esther's. Burial will be private and will precede the memorial service.

In lieu of flowers, the family invites those wishing to make a memorial donation to send their donations to Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children, Development Department, 2222 Welborn Street, Dallas, Texas, 75219-1993 or Girl Scouts of the USA, Fund Development, P. O. Box 19611A, Newark, New Jersey, 07195-0611 or The Dallas Symphony Orchestra, Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center, 2301 Flora Street, Suite 300, Dallas, Texas, 75201-2497.