Esther E. (Lauer) Sclesky

SCLESKY, ESTHER ELIZABETH, 90, Elmora, entered eternal rest on December 31, 2024, at Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center, Johnstown, surrounded by her family.  Born at home on June 16, 1934, the beloved daughter and last surviving member of the Laura (Brown) and Irvin James Lauer family.  Esther, raised on the family farm during the depression, would grow to become a woman revered for her inner strength, fierce independence and unyielding determination.  She would often reminisce about her early days and hardships such as no running water or electricity, long days of planting and picking potatoes, making hay, milking cows, and working from sun-up to sun-down.   She spoke fondly of following her dad around the farm, spending time with his work horses “Charlie” and “Dick”, and churning butter with her mother.  Her early life on the farm with its many struggles planted a seed of desire in her for a future with greater stability and abundance.  In her late teens she left the farm and moved “in town” to Ebensburg where she worked for .40 cents an hour plus tips at the Dairy Dell.  At 19-years-old, she met the love of her life, Richard Anthony Sclesky, on a blind date to the Fireman’s Convention. After dating three years, they married on June 29, 1957, and they would share nearly 40 years of a loving marriage before he passed away in 1997.  Together, they raised their eight children:  James (Linda) Sclesky, Robesonia, PA; Rose (Patrick) Terza, St. Augustine, FL; Joyce (Mike) Venesky, Pittsburgh; Stephen Sclesky, Ebensburg; the late Francis (Tammy) Sclesky, Carrolltown; Patricia (Jeffrey) Brofee, Danville, PA; Richard (Emily) Sclesky, Carrolltown; and Edward (Stephani) Sclesky, Charleston, SC.  Esther and Rich treasured their family and their role as parents, grandparents and great-grandparents.  In Rich’s later years of failing health, Esther committed herself to caring for him and their family, prioritizing other’s needs always over her own.  Her memory lives on in their eighteen grandchildren: Will, Michael, Jimmy, Dan, Elizabeth, Suzie, Jessica, Melissa, Alyssa, Matthew, Isaac, Shaina, Michael, Joe, Abigail, Riley, Jack, and Carley; and twenty-four great-grandchildren: Kailyn, Kieran, Ziva, Austin, Corbin, Jude, Braxton, Carter, Jack, Oaklyn, Bailey, Owen, Dakota, Adelyn, Kirk, Brielle, Marlin, Leroy, Scarlet, Bryer, Micah, Elsie, Martin, and Mira.  The love and pride she had for her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren was unconditional and everlasting.  Her fridge was a showcase of photos and children’s artwork.  On everyone’s cell phone can be found many comical and genuine “selfies with grandma”.  With her sharp memory and generous spirit, she would send birthday cards to everyone making them feel special and loved.  In July of 2024, the family came together to celebrate her 90th birthday.  It was a grand event to honor the matriarch of our family—emphasizing the love, respect and appreciation of her wisdom and life experiences.  It truly was a celebration and thanksgiving of the life of a beautiful woman.  In addition to her husband and son, she was preceded in death by her brothers, Richard James “Dick” Lauer and his wife Mary, Robert Joseph Lauer, Leo Francis Lauer, William Blair Lauer; brothers and sister-in-law, Ron Barrett, Jim Weakland, Bob Lamont, Robert Sclesky and Edith and Michael Zawiskie.   Also surviving Esther are, her first cousin, whom she considered to be a sister, Mary Elsie Starosciak, Garfield Heights, OH; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Mary Jane (Krise) Lauer Adams, Dysart; Anthony and Colleen Sclesky and Cecelia Barrett, all of Carrolltown; Elaine Sclesky and Judy Weakland, all of Ohio; and Evelyn Lamont, Emporium, PA; and a myriad of nieces and nephews who will fondly remember “Aunt Esther”.  She will be deeply missed at the annual Brown family reunion she looked forward to attending each summer to catch up and visit with the family that was so important to her. Her 90-year journey on this earth was marked by steadfast faith in God.  She attended Holy Name School in Ebensburg until eighth grade and then completed two years at Ebensburg Cambria High School.  It was in grade school where she learned the purpose of life: “to know Him, to love Him and to serve Him”.  And she did.  Esther was devoted to her rosary as a source of heavenly strength from the Blessed Mother.  She attended mass every week and holy day and was a good shepherd for her family.  A loyal member of Sacred Heart Church in Bakerton, then St. Benedict Roman Catholic Church, Carrolltown, where she attended mass with her special companion, William “Bill” Hunt.  She and Bill enjoyed the company of their many friends at the Carrolltown American Legion Post 506, Bakerton Rod & Gun Club and Carrolltown Fire Company Social Hall & Club.  She was a life member of the VFW Ladies Auxiliary and took great pride as a veteran’s wife and volunteer at the polls on election day. Her hands and mind were rarely still.  Each day had a purpose…cleaning, mending, baking bread and nut rolls, cooking, playing solitaire and world scrambles, and thumbing the beads of her rosary.  She took extraordinary pride in maintaining her beloved home and yard, anxiously awaiting spring and summer days on her back porch.  Her never ending to do list eventually became the responsibility of those who lived locally, but even as she aged, being active and seeking out new knowledge and experiences were welcomed.  Her husband taught her to drive a car at 53, she fired her coal furnace until 86, and learned how to use an iPhone, iPad, and Amazon Firestick at 90.  She was her own boss, and she let you know it.  The family wishes to express their sincere gratitude to Esther’s friend and in home caregiver, Susan Cymbor.  Her care and kindness allowed her more time at home and a friend to have a cup of coffee with.  Esther’s loss is deeply felt by her family and all those who knew and loved her.  Her memory will continue to live on, and we can smile knowing that she aspired to learn to swim and ride a bike in heaven.  If you are quiet, you can hear her ringing her bell.  Family and friends will be received Saturday, January 18, 2025, in the St. Boniface Wimmer room of St. Benedict Church, Carrolltown, beginning at 9:00 a.m. followed by a funeral mass which will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. Fr. Michael Gabler, OSB, celebrant.   In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Benedict VFW and St. Benedict Catholic Church.  Moriconi Funeral Home, Inc., Northern Cambria in charge of arrangements.

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