Esther Marie Keiser, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, teacher and friend, passed away peacefully in her sleep on June 15, 2026, at the age of 94.

Esther was born on August 14, 1931, in Hamburg, Pennsylvania, to Sallie and Calvin Hafer. She grew up in Hamburg and graduated from Hamburg High School in 1949. It was there that she met the love of her life, Kenneth Keiser. They began dating during their junior year of high school, later became engaged, and were married on Halloween.

After high school, Esther worked at Smith’s Dairy in Hamburg. Following her marriage to Ken, the couple lived near West Point, where Ken served in the military band and Esther worked at the United States Military Academy Cadet Store. They later moved to the area near Stewart Air Force Base before settling in Pine Bush, New York, where they built their home and raised their daughter, Karen.

Esther spent the early years of motherhood at home with Karen before returning to school. She attended Orange County Community College and later graduated from the State University of New York at New Paltz in 1970.

For the next 17 years, Esther taught in the Pine Bush Central School District. She taught second and third grade and later worked with remedial students in the middle school. She was a patient and encouraging teacher who cared deeply about her students and took great pride in helping them learn and succeed.

In 1998, Esther and Ken began another chapter of their lives when they moved to Las Vegas. They built a home with a beautiful view of the Las Vegas Strip and lived there for 25 years. Esther loved the sunshine, time by the pool, the friends she made there and, of course, a little video poker. She also enjoyed classic Las Vegas restaurants, Margarita Sundays, and a good pepperoni pizza.

Esther had a lifelong love of animals, especially her much-loved cats, Princess and Pepper, both of whom enjoyed very long and thoroughly pampered lives.

She was also an extraordinarily devoted fan of General Hospital, watching the show for more than 40 years and knowing enough about its characters and storylines to challenge just about anyone to a trivia contest.

Family was always at the center of Esther’s life. She adored her two granddaughters and loved playing games with them, especially Flinch. She was also the grandmother who was always willing to ride the roller coasters.

After Ken passed away, Esther moved to Virginia to be closer to Karen and her son-in-law, Wayne. There, she began what her family lovingly called her “third act.” She made new friends, joined the book club, played bingo, participated in activities and worked hard at physical and occupational therapy.

Most importantly, those years gave Esther and Karen the gift of time together after many years of living far apart. They shared dinners, ice cream outings, family photographs, nail appointments, conversations about the grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and many episodes of General Hospital. They saw or spoke to one another every day.

Esther was especially fortunate to meet and spend time with her two great-granddaughters, Jade and Skye, who brought her tremendous joy. Those moments became some of the family’s most treasured memories.

Esther had a remarkable ability to listen. She understood people’s feelings, offered advice when it was needed, and made those she loved feel heard and cared for. She and Karen ended every conversation by telling each other how much they loved one another — a gift that became even more meaningful in Esther’s final years.

Esther was preceded in death by her parents, Sallie and Calvin Hafer; her sister, Helen Emhardt; and her beloved husband, Kenneth Keiser.

She is survived by her daughter, Karen Beekman; son-in-law, Wayne Beekman; granddaughters Rachael McGuinness and Sara Heath; and great-granddaughters Jade Heath and Skye McGuinness.

Esther lived a full and wonderful life, filled with family, friendship, teaching, laughter and love. She will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered.

A graveside service will be held on Saturday, September 19, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. at St. John’s Cemetery in Hamburg, Pennsylvania.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Esther’s memory to the American Heart Association.