East Worcester – Esther M. Brooker, 91, passed away April 10, 2022 at Bassett Medical Center, Cooperstown.

She was born July 16, 1930 in Westford, the daughter of Glenn and Alice (Skellie) Mathewson.

Esther graduated from Andrew S. Draper Central School, Schenevus, 1948. She was in the very first Bachelors of Nursing Degree program, at Hartwick College in conjunction with Bassett Hospital, graduating in 1952 with high honors.  She received her Master's in education at SUCO 1962.  While as a head nurse at Sidney Hospital Esther got to deliver a baby, who wasn't waiting for the doctor. She was a staff nurse at Bassett Medical Center for many years, left to work at Worcester Central School as a School Nurse Teacher while her children attended at which point, she worked at a local Nursing home and finally returned to Basset where she retired from the Discharge Planning office.  She continued her education throughout her life, both formally or informally.  She loved her family and held her life-long friends close. She was the heart and rock of the family. She loved to garden and tend her raspberries and was well known for making scrubbies.

Esther married Louis S. Brooker on June 22, 1956.

She was a member of the East Worcester Fire Department Auxiliary, East Worcester Fish and Game Club, The Teacher's association, the East Worcester United Methodist Church where she also enjoyed singing with the Christmas Cantata. She was also on the board for the Southern Otsego Health Center in Worcester and she supported many charitable and religious organizations.

She is survived by her children, Louis S. Brooker, Jr. of Toms River, NJ, Lynn Urrey (Larry Eichler) of East Worcester, and Kathleen Brooker-Milano (Sam) of Mineral, VA, 13 grandchildren, 37 great-grandchildren and 4 great-great-grandchildren; her siblings, Peter Mathewson (Diana), Olive Crews and Dorothy Schick along with many nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her husband, Louis S. Brooker, Sr. on January 6, 2013; a daughter, Deborah Fogarty, and her siblings, Thelma Alger and Gordon Mathewson.

Calling hours will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, April 22, at Heller & Skinner Funeral Home, 155 Main St., Worcester.

The funeral service will be 1:00 Saturday, April 23, at the East Worcester United Methodist Church, 4 South Hill Road, East Worcester, with the Rev. Paul Messner, officiating.

Interment will follow at the East Worcester Cemetery, State Highway 7, East Worcester.

Contributions may be sent to, East Worcester United Methodist Church, PO Box 665, East Worcester, NY 12064 Helios Care, 297 River Street Service Road, Oneonta, NY 13820 or St. Joseph's Catholic Church, 201 Main St., Worcester, NY 12197.

Online condolences may be sent to, www.hellerskinnerfh.com