Esther Rufina (Madayag) Mathews

Esther Madayag Mathews passed away on October 1, 2016 in Hastings Mi. She was born March 25, 1921 to Julian & Maura Bambao Madayag in Buang, La Union, Philippines, the tenth of 14 children. Esther was preceded in death by husband Carroll Charles Mathews, her parents and several siblings. . She is survived by sisters Phoebe Madayag of the Philippines, sister Rebecca Olea of New Jersey, daughter Marilyn M Mathews and grandson Marc A Mathews of Hastings and granddaughter Monica M Siewert of Charlotte, NC.

Esther met her husband Chuck when she worked at the PX on Clarkfield Air Force Base in the Philippines and he was stationed there with the USAF during the Korean War. They married and had their only child Marilyn. Esther joined her husband in his hometown of Charlotte, Mi in 1952. During her lifetime the family visited every state in the Union, Hawaii being the first and Alaska the last.

In 1971, she and Chuck bought and ran Riverview Grocery, a convince, gas station and liquor store in Hastings. They sold the business after after 22 years to enjoy their retirement and love of travel.

Esther loved singing and dancing. One avenue she pursued in her love of singing was as a member of the Lakewood Area Choral Society and United Methodist Church in Hastings.

To pursue her love of dancing, and raise awareness of her cultural heritage, she and Chuck were founding members of the Filipino American Dance Troupe. They performed traditional Filipino dance routines across western Michigan.

A memorial service will be held on Nov 13, 2016 at the Commission On Aging, 320 Woodlawn, Hastings Mi at 3:00pm. In lieu of flowers the family is asking a charitable donation be given to the Barry County Commission On Aging.