Former Church of the Nazarene Member Esther Swartz Dies at 88

Esther D. (Hunter) Swartz, 88, passed away October 25, 2026. Born October 13, 1938, she was the daughter of Hazel M. (Trask) and Raymond A. Hunter, Sr. Esther lived with her family in Winslow and Augusta, Maine, and graduated from Cony High School. During high school, she participated in band, orchestra, yearbook staff, Chizzle Wizzle (4 day production), Cercle Francais, basketball, softball, volleyball, and field hockey.

Esther attended Eastern Nazarene College from 1956 to 1960, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Mathematics. She served as vice-president of the Sigma Delta Kappa society and was a member of the Girls All-Star basketball team. At Eastern Nazarene College, she met Gerald (Jerry) Swartz. They married in June 1960 and lived in Hanover, MA for over 55 years.

Esther taught piano lessons – initially in the school system, as group lessons, later as individual lessons in her residence. She loved teaching piano. She began teaching in 1969 and continued until 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Esther served in a leadership role with Hanover Boy Scouts from 1973 to 1975 and with Girl Scouts from 1977 to 1986. She knew the Bible and Biblical history well. She enjoyed a missions trip of volunteer service in Cajamarca, Peru.

Esther enjoyed spending time with church members, whether it be playing piano for or singing in the choir, or attending retreats. She loved her church family, St Paul’s Church of the Nazarene in Duxbury, MA. She volunteered as Children’s Music Director, leading musical productions for decades at St. Paul’s Church. She served a role in Nazarene World Missions International at St. Paul’s as well.

She worked in the accounting field for many years and volunteered as treasurer at St Paul’s for decades.

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