Friday, April 8th, 2011
Mary Esther Dasenbrock
Former Celina resident Mary Esther Dasenbrock, 89, died in Haverford, Pa., March 14, 2011.
She was born Nov. 15, 1921, in Waterloo, Iowa, to George Way and Elinor Johnson Williams. On Aug. 31, 1947, she married J. Henry Dasenbrock, who is deceased.
Surviving are three children: Diedrich (Nancy) Dasenbrock, Portland, Ore.; Charity, Santa Cruz, Calif.; and Reed Dasenbrock, Honolulu, Hawaii.
Deceased is a brother, Emmon (Guss) J. Williams.
From Vassar College, she received a master of arts degree from Vassar College in euthenics, the study of improving human functioning and well being by improvement of the environment. In 1945, she received a master's degree from Haverford College in relief and reconstruction.
She worked in Texas at a migrant labor camp, in Puerto Rico at a Quaker Civilian Public Service health clinic, then in London, England and Koziniece, Poland, where she worked for the American Friends Service Committee.
In the 1950s she and her family moved to Celina due to her husband's association with New Idea in Coldwater. In the early 1960s she joined with others to establish the Western Ohio Educational Foundation (WOEF), which began in Celina as a two-year branch of Ohio Northern University. Later it became Wright State University-Lake Campus.
She donated her body for use in medical studies. A memorial service was held at Haverford Friends Meeting on March 19, 2011. Burial will be at the Haverford Friends Meeting Cemetery at a later date.
Memorials may be direted to Haverford Friends Meeting, 855 Buck Lane, Haverford, PA 19041-1228.
Condolences may be sent in care of Diedrich Dasenbrock, 1140 SW Chestnut Dr., Portland OR, 97219.
