Esther Belle Roof, 96, passed away July 11, 2015 at the Peace Hospice house where she had been since April 24, 2015. Esther was born June 15, 1919 in Canton, OH to Emma and Harvey Barker. At the age of three her family moved to California which she dearly loved. She was the oldest of one sister and four brothers. Her sister passed when she was 18 months old of pneumonia. When moving to California they made their home in Venice Beach, where her father owned and operated an auto repair shop. When the Great Depression hit everything was lost. They later moved to Sylmar area where Esthers’ family lived. Esthers’ father passed away in 1942 and never lived to see any of his grandchildren, but many of them have their grandfathers’ characteristics.

After graduating from San Fernando High School, Esther went to work at Douglas Aircraft Co. and met the love of her life Robert Roof. They were married January 1942 in Westwood, CA. They moved to Sylmar where their sons were born in March 1943 and June 1944. In 1950 they moved to Santa Monica, CA where she lived until her move to Great Falls in 1994. She so dearly loved California, her and Bob did everything together. As the boys were growing up they always were doing many things; Boy Scouts, PTA, even horseback riding. The family also spent many days at “Grannies” home in Sylmar enjoying her home cooking, garden and the outdoor adventures with the boy’s uncles. Many vacations were spent tent camping at Lake Tahoe and Big Bear Lake fishing, swimming and kayaking. They had many wonderful friends that they would get together with.

After the boys left home, she and Bob loved to take one to two day trips to Arizona, and all over southern California. Esther always loved a party, be it a birthday, cards, anniversary or wedding. Bob passed in 1986. She took several cruises to many foreign countries and always wanted to go again. She loved being around people. One of our fondest memories is when she had a phone call and it was the wrong number, yet she and the caller visited for over an hour.

We will miss her grace, love of life, and zest to try new things.

A Memorial Service will be held Saturday, July 25, 2015 at 1:00 PM at the First Presbyterian Church in Great Falls.

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