We very sadly announce the passing of Esther Bridget Saunders, nee: McCullagh, beloved wife, mother and grandmother at 4pm on Friday, July 24th, 2026. She died peacefully at her home in Port Charlotte, Florida, at the 88 years, with both her sons: Maurice and Diarmaid present. Esther is survived by her sister Maura and brothers Pat and Tony and their families, her two sons: Maurice and Diarmaid, and her two granddaughters: Clíodhna and Síofra. Originally from Crumlin in Dublin, Ireland, she spent most of her life in Port Washington, New York before later retiring to Florida. Esther enrolled in night classes in New York and worked hard to earn her degree and fulfil her lifelong dream of becoming a Medical Assistant to help people who were suffering from sickness and injury. She excelled at her medical calling and was loved and admired by all she helped through her many years of service to cancer patients, their families and her fellow colleagues. Even after her retirement to Florida, Esther volunteered to help in local hospitals and hospices and was often the last comfort and the only person holding the dying hand of someone as the passed away to the other side. Esther was a very proud Irish woman with a great sense of humour and was a wonderful force of nature. She particularly loved Irish music, song and she was a great dancer too and worked selflessly for many Irish charities and causes. Esther was an incredibly great and wonderful mother, grandmother, sister, friend and loved and admired by all who had the pleasure and honour to meet her. It would be impossible to sum up how truly special, kind, loving and unique Esther was and we will all miss her terribly. The world is a much poorer and lonelier place without her, but above all she believed in hope and the power of love and that we will all meet again someday, somewhere over the rainbow. A memorial funeral mass will be held in her honour followed by a private burial, times and dates to be announced. Family flowers only please, if you like, in lieu, please donate to your favourite charity - that is what she would have wanted.