Hester J. Fulton Witchey
WITCHEY, Hester J. Fulton – It is with deep sorrow and great love that we announce the passing of Hester Jane Fulton Witchey at the age of 88; a proud grandmother, mother, friend, teacher and traveler. She was predeceased by Frank, her husband of 50 years who she missed dearly, and is survived by her daughter Kristin (Moriarty), son-in-law Patrick and three grandsons Michael, Matthew and Andrew, her sister Anne (Magai; husband Don Magai predeceased) and Anne’s two children Molly (husband Joe and son Simon) and Jack (wife Amy and sons Francis and Felix). Hester passed peacefully surrounded by family and friends at Hospice Wellington on Wednesday, July 23rd, 2025.
Hester was born in Newark, New Jersey but grew up and spent her early adult life in and around Cleveland, Ohio. She was an adventurer/traveler from the start, travelling alone at the age of 18 across the country to attend The University of New Mexico before returning to Cleveland to complete her Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education from Case Western Reserve University in 1964. She was an accomplished vocalist, but fell in love with teaching young children and with her future husband, Frank. She and Frank married in 1965 and had their only child while in Cleveland, but soon left for a brief stint in Florida for Hester to gain her Montessori teaching certificate. After that they loaded up in their VW Bus and moved West which became their home.
Hester and Frank loved the western geography and way of life and lived in Denver (Colorado) Jackson (Wyoming) and Grand Junction (Colorado) through the 70s, 80s and 90s. After Kristin graduated high school they spent a number of years in Nelson, New Zealand and then travelled extensively through the world until finally settling in Guelph, Canada in 2007 to be closer to their grandchildren where they remained for the rest of their lives.
Family and friends will remember Hester’s passion and dedication to her profession, lifelong learning and her friends. She taught at many different schools, even starting her own school in Jackson, Wyoming upon discovering that there was no existing Montessori school. After retirement, she continued substitute teaching at schools around the world and storytelling well into her 70s. Never one to sit still for long, Hester became an active member in every community where she lived. Her tenacity served her well later in life as she fought back to independence after two major strokes in her 80s.
A celebration of life will be held on Wednesday, August 6th from 4pm to 6pm at the Village of Arbour Trails, 32 Bayberry Drive, Guelph, Ontario.
Arrangements entrusted to the WALL-CUSTANCE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL 519-822-0051 / www.wallcustance.com.
A tree will be planted in memory of Hester J. Fulton Witchey in the Wall-Custance Memorial Forest.