Esther M. (Capobianco) Gizzi

Esther M. Gizzi, 83, of York, Maine, passed away at Portsmouth Regional Hospital on September 28, 2019 after a short illness. Born in Schenectady, NY on March 3, 1936 to parents Augustino and Antoinette  Capobianco. 
Esther was a graduate of Nott Terrace High School and began working in the catalog department of the Schenectady County Public Library. 
Esther lived most of her life in Scotia, NY, as a homemaker, raising her two children, in a close knit neighborhood. She was involved in Cub Scouts and Girl Scouts. Esther was a hairdresser for many years. Continuing her work in hairdressing, Esther worked at the Carl Company in the millinery department. She developed a large clientele and soon opened her own wig shop, “The Wig Tree” catering to chemotherapy patients and others. 
After her husband fell ill, Esther moved to Maine to be closer to her daughter and grandchildren. She enjoyed early mornings by the beach with her Dunkin Donuts coffee. Esther joined the quilters at First Parish, working on projects for the community. She was a volunteer at Durgin Pines Nursing Home and brought joy and compassion to the residents, nurses and aides.  
Esther will be remembered as a generous, selfless and kind friend who loved to cook, bake and help others. She enjoyed sharing her homemade pasta, apple pies, Italian cookies, and coffee cakes with everyone, ranging from the people at Town Hall to the maintenance men at Village Woods. 
In the last four years, Esther lived in an apartment building close to the village. Whether they were doing puzzles, sitting on the deck, or watching Jeopardy, Esther was always entertaining her many friends in Building A and the surrounding buildings with good food, drinks and laughter. 
Her greatest love, however, was her grandchildren. Beyond cooking and baking for Katherine, Andrew and their friends, Esther was always there for them. Cheering them on at the hockey rink, she was their biggest fan. As they left for college this fall, Esther sent encouraging texts, always ended with a heart and cat emoji. 
Esther is survived by her son Joseph Gizzi, his wife Cinde of Hampton, NH; daughter Michele Bertolini, her husband Garret of Cape Neddick, ME; granddaughter Katherine Bertolini; grandson Andrew Bertolini; sister-in-law Antoinette (Gizzi) Renna; several nieces and nephews and her beloved cat Milkshake.
Esther was predeceased by her husband of 55 years, Michael Gizzi.

Services: Family and friends are invited to a Funeral Mass at 11am on Saturday, November 2nd in St. Christopher Church, 4 Barrell Lane, York, Maine. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or the York Food Pantry.
 

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