Ester Jean Davis Gliwinski
September 29, 1948 – August 2, 2026
Ester Jean Davis Gliwinski entered into the presence of her Lord peacefully on August 2nd after a short illness at 77.
Ester was born September 29th 1948 in Medellin Colombia South America. The daughter of missionaries Rev William John Davis and Rev Dorothy Haine Davis. She moved to Honduras Central America in 1958. Even at a young age she had a great gift for teaching and was leading a Teen Sunday school class at 13. Ester attended Houghton Academy followed by Houghton College in Houghton New York. After graduation in 1969 Ester began teaching at Monroe High School. Over the next 57 years she taught at schools in Rochester New York, Boston Massachusetts, Trenton New Jersey, San Juan, Puerto Rico and Palo Alto California. She went on to earn advanced degrees at Rutgers University in New Jersey and King Farouk University in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. While living in Trenton, Ester worked for Time Inc. where she was Vice president of media management services. Ester spent many summers on archeological digs in Greece with Princeton University. She was a consultant on bilingual education to many agencies in New Jersey, Delaware, Washington DC and Vienna Austria
For the last 20+ years Ester volunteered at 2 Rochester community centers every Saturday. She always had a car full of children’s books that she distributed to every child she came in contact with. Ester attended every Rochester Razor sharks, Rochester Nighthawks and Rochester Lancer/Rhinos games with bags of books to hand out to any child there. She also was very involved in her church where she would show up early every Sunday with snacks for all.
Ester was predeceased by her parents, her husband Marek Gliwinski and brothers Billy Davis and Jimmy Davis and Sister in Law Jill Davis. Ester is survived by her Brother Keith (Sharon) Davis of Bergen N.Y. and nieces and nephews Alana Torraca, JuleAnn (Jeremy) Wakeman, Ben (Trisha) Davis, Alistair (Heidi) Davis, Alexander Davis and Allison Davis, grand nephews and nieces Nick, Val, Sid, Dorothy, Tim, Jake, John Wallace, William and Abigail.
We are so very grateful for the wonderful and compassionate care Ester received from Strong Hospital Floor 3400 and the many Volunteers at Advent House in Fairport New York.
If you would like to honor Ester, Please consider a donation in her memory to Advent House 1010 Moseley Rd. Fairport, N.Y. 14450.
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Ester’s first words were in Spanish in 1949 yesterday a volunteer was speaking Spanish with her around 12 am and when he left she only spoke Spanish could not switch back to English the other volunteers could not get her to talk English so her last words were also in spanish
Keith,
Will there be any services or a celebration of life for her?
There was a small church service
Ester, or EJ, as we called her, was like a big sister to me. She lived with my family, Ruth and Lindol Hutton, during the time she attended Houghton Academy and Houghton College, about 6 or 8 years. I was a teenager then, four years younger than EJ. We were roommates for some of that time. She helped with cleaning, cooking, and child care, and she did lots of fun activities with the six of us kids. I learned lots of things from her. I’m sad I didn’t have much contact with her in the past several years, but she holds a special place in my heart.
I met Ester while volunteering at School #33 in Rochester. She loved her students and the kids at the Ryan Recreation Center. I appreciated her kind spirit and her dedication to education. I know she loved Jesus and am thankful that I knew her. The last time I saw her was during Clean Sweep in May, another example of her volunteering heart and love for the people of the city.
I met Ester while volunteering at School #33 in Rochester. She loved her students and those at the Ryan Recreation Center. The last time I saw her she was volunteering at Clean Sweep–another example of her giving nature to the city of Rochester. I am glad I knew her. She was an inspiration. I know she loved Jesus and lived her life well.
It is difficult to put into words the sadness I feel over the passing of Ester. She was not only my coworker, but also my daughter’s kindergarten teacher, and our family will always be grateful for the love, kindness, and care she showed her.
Teaching was so much more than a profession to her. it was truly her calling. Her students were her life. She was often one of the first people to arrive at school and one of the last to leave. She poured her heart into her classroom and into every child who walked through her door. And her love for her students extended far beyond the walls of the school. She showed up for them—at birthdays, baptisms, confirmations, and so many other special moments their families invited her to share. That was simply who she was.
As a colleague, you could always count on her if needed something for a lesson, chances were she had it tucked away somewhere in one of her famous teacher closets—and if she didn’t have it, she would somehow find it for you. She was generous with everything she had, especially her time and her heart.
I cannot express how sad I am knowing that we will no longer see her. Her absence will be deeply felt by so many. But I find comfort knowing that she was a woman of faith, and that she is now in glory with the Lord she loved and served.
Thank you for loving our children so deeply and for dedicating your life to them. Thank you especially for being so good to my daughter. Your legacy lives on in the countless children, families, and colleagues whose lives you touched.
Rest in eternal peace Ester.
Each Sunday morning Ester was one of the first to arrive at New City, always bringing along bags of snacks and books for the kids. As our music team would rehearse, she would offer approval for the sound quality and lovingly offer corrections for the song lyric slides. Thank you Lord for allowing us to witness her selfless service.
Ms. G taught both my daughters for 5th grade at School #33. I often thought of her and how she inspired her students, as well as parents. She always supported the school’s PTA.
Kaila went on to graduate from WJU in RI and like you Ms. G, Ariel went to Houghton University. Until we meet again. 🥰
Thanks for you kind words
Mrs G will always have a special place in my heart. She was my son’s teacher at the Charter school and she was my colleague at #33 school. I could always go to her with questions, concerns, supplies for our students, advice and anything our students may have needed. She will definitely be missed. Rest in peace Mrs. G.
I am so sorry to hear about the loss of my friend Ester Gliwinski. She entered my life when my youngest daughter was a student in her kindergarten class on 1994. She was a stern but loving teacher, that gave it to you straight. I love her and she will be truly missed.
Ms. Gliwinski was such an essential part of the Dual Language Program and all of School 33. She was the first to arrive and the last to leave. She had any supply that anyone would need last minute. She had costumes and props for every class for our Hispanic Heritage Month celebration. She gave snacks and juices to E6 lacrosse on the weekends and who knows how many other organizations. She went to several churches each weekend and was so involved with the families and the community. Her recommendations for her 6th gatde students for middle school got them in to wherever they applied. She would show up to the auditions and would also reach out additionally to the schools. She has received recognition from community agencies for all of her countless hours of work and dedication to bilingual students and families. She has touched so many students, colleagues and families in Rochester! We are so blessed to have had her at School 33! ¡Descanse En Paz!
I can’t believe it miss G I am school custodial assist at 33 school she care about the students she was strong brave when I used clean the 3rd floor classrooms I used clean her every night every summer we would clear her classroom out to do the floor after we did her floor miss G said just bring in the big stuff in the room she lots of stuff miss G brought in rest of stuff by herself ok miss G I love u I am going miss you she would pick up trash outside with bare hands ty xoxo
Mrs. Gliwinski was my first grade teacher at #12 school. I remember her fondly. It was a bilingual class and I still have clear memories of learning the Spanish alphabet from her. She was always stern but also so much fun. As an adult I would run into her at the Ryan R Center. She was also buzzing around looking for ways to help and always greeted me with such a warm smile. I’m sorry for this great loss but I am lucky to have been taught by her and to have reunited later in life. May she rest well.