Esther L. Lignian, 93, formerly of South 3rd Street and 440 Congress Street, Bradford, passed away sud-denly on Monday, May 21st, at Banner Gateway Medical Center, in Gilbert, AZ.
Born May 15, 1919, in Sigel, she was the daughter of the late Harve and Beu-lah (Kahle) Castner. On September 22, 1945 by Rev. Frederick Riley in St. Bernard Rectory she mar-ried Bernard M Lignian, who died on March 30, 2001.
Mrs. Lignian was a 1937 graduate of Sigel High School and a 1938 gradu-ate of Continental School of Beauty Culture in Pitts-burgh. She moved to the Bradford area in 1938 to work at Gil Deacon's Beau-ty Salon and later for Ken Lorch Beauty Salon. She retired in January of 1988 after operating a salon in her home for 33 years.
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Mrs. Lignian was a member of St. Francis of Assisi Church, a member and past president of the now retired Rotary of Arms, a member of Beta Sigma Phi Sorority since 1942. She was also past president of several of the Sororities chapters.
Esther and Bernard host-ed Rotary Exchange Stu-dents from Ecuador and Australia and traveled internationally, including visiting their daughter Mar-sha in Australia. Esther was also a very talented seam-stress, tailoring clothes for herself, husband and chil-dren, and often helping out friends for alterations. She also did beautiful needle-work, ceramics and home improvement projects. She always said she could do anything but swim or carry a tune.
During retirement she and her husband enjoyed driving to Arizona for the winter months and at the time of her death was just completing her 25th winter in Arizona. They also en-joyed going to antique car show meets where they showed a 1948 Chevrolet Fleetline Aero Sedan that they beautifully restored, winning over 75 trophies, also a 1970 Plymouth Sa-tellite convertible. Both of these cars were in numerous Bradford and Shriner's parades.
Surviving are two daughters, Ann Deutsch-lander, of East Amherst, NY and Marsha (Frank) Maier, of Tucson, AZ, one son, B. Gary Lignian (Marsha Swatzler), of Gilbert, AZ, granddaughter Erica Maier, grandson Weston Deutsch-lander, and nephews Daniel Glassmire of Coudersport, and Thomas DeSantis of Erie. She was preceded in death by her parents, hus-band, and two sisters.
Family will be receiving friends on Wednesday, May 30, 2012 from 3 to 5 & 7 to 9 p.m. in the Hollenbeck-Cahill Funeral Homes, Inc. 33 South Ave-nue, Bradford, where a prayer services will be held at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, May 31st, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. in St. Bernard Church with Rev. Ray-mond Gramata, pastor, offi-ciating. Committal services and entombment will fol-low in St Bernard Mausole-um.
Memorials if desired may be made to the VNA, 1223 East Main Street, Bradford, Pa., or the charity of the donor's choice.
On line condolences may be made at www.hollenbeckcahill.com