On January 27, 2021, Esther entered her eternal rest.  She was born on Easter day, April 11, 1920, in Del Rey to Haroutiun and Arax Chooljian. Esther found herself the youngest of four children, five years junior to her youngest brother.  The death of her father when she was ten, and the family's struggle to maintain the family farm was only made worse by the Great Depression. There was not a lot of time and attention for one to enjoy childhood, however Esther possessed a spirited, likable personality that endeared her to many people throughout a long life.  Esther's independent spirit and social personality were perhaps first noticed by her third-grade headmaster when she chose to walk-out of class, rather than stop talking.   In 1938, she graduated from Sanger High School and remained in the Sanger area working in a local packing house. One day a senior floor lady posed the simple question, "what are you doing here?", so Esther made a very independent decision to move to glamorous San Francisco.  As she would later say, she left her heart in San Francisco, and would fondly reminisce about her war-time job as a payroll carrier for Western Union.

The pull of family and time returned Esther to the Fresno area, where she was introduced to John Kalebjian.  To hear Esther's side of the story, she wasn't very interested at first, but he was persistent, and her brothers had told her not to let him get away.  It was the first time she listened to her brothers, as well as her heart, so John and Esther were married in 1947.  Starting their life together, with little more than a hard work ethic, they grew a successful small family farm operation.  Twenty acres of open ground became 100 acres of vineyard- but not without her commitment to actively engage in the hands-on raisin farming effort.  Importantly, she provided the support and shared vision for the farm expansion John implemented over time. During the best years, Esther worked tirelessly to manage a household and raise a family, blessed with two children, Bonnie in 1948 and Dennis in 1954.  As a devoted mother, Esther's priority was to provide her children with what she believed were the keys to success in life – education, self-confidence, and independence.

Throughout her life, Esther had many interests, and many good times shared with family and good friends.  While Esther never had an opportunity to attend college, she did hold a master's degree in making her delicious Sou-Beoreg—proudly displayed at all holiday and family events.  Esther had a life-long love of music, and even to her 100 ^th birthday could not resist an opportunity to perform wherever a piano was available.  Without any formal piano training, she would play her own arrangements of any popular tune by ear.  Treasured were the times she and John world spend with neighbors and lifetime friends, during their Saturday night card games which would extend into the wee hours of the morning.  Esther was a member of Raisin Bargaining Association Raisin Wives, Ani Guild, an active member of St. Paul Ladies Society, and later St. Gregory Ladies Society.  She was a member of St. Gregory Armenian Church in Fowler.

Esther lived at her home on the ranch, which she came to love especially in her later years.  She was fiercely independent, driving her BMW until she was 98, and living alone for 18 years following John's passing.  She will be remembered by most who knew her as being forever young.  She was preceded in death by her husband John Kalebjian in 2001, her daughter Bonnie Simonian in 2017, brothers Zaven Chooljian in 1993 and Haig Chooljian in 1984, and sister Vartig Yergat 1965, She is survived by her son Dennis Kalebjian and his wife Paulette, son-in-law Roger Simonian, Grandchildren Bridgit Khater, Bradley Kalebjian, Jamie A. and spouses.  Jill Panosssian, Denise Gregerson and spouses.  Esther had close bonds with numerous nephews and nieces,  and was blessed to know ten great-grandchildren.

Private services will be held on Monday, February 1, at St. Gregory Armenian Church in Fowler. Interment will be at Ararat Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers donations in Esther's name may be made to St. Gregory Armenian Church P.O.Box 246 Fowler, CA 93625.  Tributes and condolences may be made at www.yostandwebb.com.