Mrs. Esther Lois Weld Ransom passed from this earthly life at 8:10 in the morning of August 3, 2024, in Apple Valley, California. Esther was born in Astoria, Oregon on May 1, 1924, to the late Ray Weld (Papa) and Rose Welty Weld. She was the youngest of four daughters and was one hundred years of age.
Papa was a Presbyterian Minister, and as a ‘preacher’s kid’, Esther grew up in a variety of Southern California towns. But Hemet, hot and dusty, nestled at the foot of Mount San Jacinto, was her favorite home. There she developed a lifelong love of goats and dogs and everything outdoors.
After her sisters went off to college, the family moved to Gustine, California where Esther graduated from high school. Esther returned to Southern California, where she attended La Verne College and became lifelong friends with her roommate, Ruth Ransom (later to become Ruth Froiland). Ruth introduced Esther to her cousin Joe Ransom at Union Station while sending him off to the army and WWII. They corresponded during the war years and then met again at the University of Southern California, where Esther earned her bachelor’s degree in teaching. Joe and Esther were married in 1950, moved to Ramona, California (Joe’s hometown), and started a family. Esther taught at Ramona Elementary for over 30 years, and Joe entered the family business Ransom Bros. Lumber and Supply.
Esther was adept at making each place she lived into a beautiful home. Starting with the little house on B street, then the home they built at 822 Seventh, and much later the house she designed and built in San Diego Country Estates, and many places thereafter. Each location was imbued with her skill and love of gardening, dogs and entertaining relatives and friends. Whether welcoming a swarm of relatives or a select few, Esther brought warmth, humor, understanding, and acceptance to all her guests. Esther had an infectious personality with the gift of making those around her feel special and loved.
After 34 years of marriage Joe died in 1984 and Esther became a widow. Stepping up to the task at hand, she settled the family business, traveled to almost every continent in the world, including doing missionary work in Nairobi, Kenya, where she taught school for two years. After living in Flagstaff, Arizona for five years, she moved back to Ramona. During this season of her life she mourned the death of her son, Paul and each her three sisters. And she experienced the joy of grandchildren graduations, marriages, launching businesses, settling into jobs, going to medical school, growing into adults, creating their own families and contributing to good in the world. She loved her family dearly, and her family loved her.
Esther lived vigorously, with reverence for God and love for the life she had on earth. Open and friendly, her kindness brought a bit of joy to the world around her.
Esther is preceded in death by her husband Joseph Boyden Ransom and youngest son Paul Ransom. She is survived by her children Susan Allen (Jimmie), Weld Ransom (Susan Schultz) and Janet Baxendale, eight grandsons: Jason Allen (Carli), Joe Allen (Heidi), Chris Allen (Keanna), Benjamin Ransom, Blair Ransom (Tara Farrell), Graham Ransom, Luke Ransom Tozzi (Shaina Lolin), Samuel Ransom Baxendale (Addie) and six great grandchildren: Layton, Kaden, Josiah, Madoc, Katie and Vivianne. A graveside memorial and inurnment of ashes will be held on a date to be determined at Nuevo Gardens Cemetery, Ramona, California.
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