Esther Holbert

Esther Holbert, devoted wife, mother, sister and friend, passed away with her daughter by her side at 4 a.m. on November 5th at Danbury of Alliance. She was 91.
She was born September 29, 1926 in Alliance, Ohio to Hungarian parents, Albert and Anna (Heil) Sukosd.
A 1944 graduate of Alliance High School, she worked as an assembler for 20 years at Alliance Manufacturing until her daughter was born in 1964. She was a member of the Alliance First Friends Church.
She was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Julia, brothers, Andrew and Joseph Sukosd, and her husband, William "Willie" Holbert, whom she married December 31, 1948, and who died March 19, 2015.
Survivors include daughter, Susan Cudmore and grandchildren, Kiera and Drew Cudmore all of Acton, Massachusetts; and two brothers, John Sukosd of Massillon, and James Sukosd of Alliance. She also leaves many loving nieces and nephews along with Willie's extended family. All had faithfully visited her after he passed.
Esther had a lifelong passion for gardening and was known among family and friends for the delicious heirloom tomatoes she grew with Willie. If you mentioned that you grew a vegetable garden, she would be sure to give you some of the seeds she had carefully saved from her annual crop along with detailed instructions on the best method for planting them.
She consistently gave more than she took. She was always checking in on friends who were ill or feeling down in order to offer encouragement. She also intentionally and thoughtfully imparted years of wisdom to her daughter and grandchildren as demonstrated by the hand written notes found after she passed. Several months before her death, she sat each grandchild down to give them valuable advice that she deemed important to their future health, safety and happiness. For example, Kiera recently started driving and she quizzed her on safe driving practices such as how far one should sit from the steering wheel along with other road safety rules. For 14 year old Drew, she admonished him to do well in school and to choose his friends wisely.
She was meticulous about her appearance with a weekly trip to the beauty shop and fire engine red lipstick applied, even when she drove for the 6 a.m. Swim Team carpool. But much to her dismay, attention to appearance was not one of the dominant lessons her daughter absorbed a�" red is not Susan's best lipstick color. Esther did, however, model and pass along lessons in independence, treating people with kindness, and the importance of personal and fiscal responsibility. She also instilled in her the importance of healthy eating and cooking from scratch. She offered invaluable parenting advice while being careful not to unfairly criticize. And she was a rock solid supporter behind any interest that Susan took up along the way. She will be greatly missed.
Arrangements were by Cassaday-Turkle-Christian Funeral Home on Wednesday, November 8th, followed by a luncheon for family and friends at the Alliance First Friends Church where donations may be made in her name.

Cemetery Details