CHESWOLD - Esther Dempsey Ridley passed away on Tuesday, May 17, 2016, at the Hospice Center in aMilford, after a brief illness. During her declining health, she was grateful for the visits, telephone calls, and cards from family and friends. Esther was born on March 20, 1930, in Cheswold. Esther was predeceased by her husband of 58 years, Joel W. Ridley; her parents, Clarence and Mabel Dempsey; and her brother, Charles Dempsey. She leaves behind her daughter and son-in-law, Pam and Edward Marecki; daughter and son-in-law, Beth and Bruce Campbell; her grandchildren, Laura Marecki, Brian Campbell, and Jason Campbell; and her special great-granddaughter, Juniper Campbell. Esther is also survived by her sisters, Lois Cheshaek, and Joan Rumsey; sisters-in-law, Sue Urian, Martha Collins, Alice Mae Jacobs, and Kathleen Ridley; brothers-in-law, Sam Jacobs, Merle Rumsey, Steve Cheshaek, Earl Ridley, Fred Ridley, and Doug Ridley; as well as many special nieces, nephews, cousins and wonderful friends. Esther graduated from Dover High School in 1948. Her first job was as a stenographer with the Home Life Insurance Company of Dover. She later worked at Dover Electric Supply Company as a bookkeeper before becoming a stay-at-home mom. In 1972, Esther went to work with the State Board of Health in Dover and then in 1980 she went to Delaware Technical and Community College where she worked in the school library at the Terry Campus. Esther and Joel married on Sept. 13, 1952, at Cheswold United Methodist Church. Esther took great pride in keeping a beautiful home and enjoyed cooking for her family. Her hobbies included sewing, cross stitch, and flower arranging. She and her husband Joel enjoyed dancing, as well as playing cards and dominos. Together they traveled and photographed 49 of the 50 state capital buildings in the United States. Esther was very proud of her volunteer work with the Delaware Cooperative Extension Services where she served as president and vice president of the local office, as well as holding county, state, and national level positions with the organization. She was also active with the Chestnut Grove 4-H Club from 1969 to 1980. Esther was a volunteer at Kent General Hospital for several years. Esther began attending Cheswold United Methodist Church as a child and remained a member throughout her life. She was active with the United Methodist Women of Cheswold Church, the Leipsic Homemakers Club, and the Smyrna Century Club. Instead of flowers, the family suggests contributions to the Cheswold United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 191, Cheswold, DE, 19936, or to Delaware Hospice Center, 100 Patriots Way, Milford, DE, 19963. A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, May 20 at 11 a.m. at Torbert Funeral Home, 1145 E. Lebanon Road, Dover. Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. until services begin. Interment will be at Sharon Hills Cemetery. Letters of condolences may be sent and guest book signed at www.torbertfuneral.com.