Betty Esterheld, active in community, early Kodak manager

Mary Elizabeth “Betty” Esterheld, 80, a former Ridgefielder who was once one of the first female managers at Kodak, died at the Filosa Convalescent Home in Danbury on Sunday, Nov. 4, after a lengthy illness. She was 80 years old and the widow of Frank R. Esterheld, who died in December 1999.
Mrs. Esterheld was born in Rochester, N.Y., Nov. 18, 1920, daughter of the late Edward and Florence DePugh Fitzgibbons. She grew up in Rochester and was a graduate of the Rochester Institute of Technology.
During the mid-1940s, Mrs. Esterheld was the mail and file room manager for Kodak’s headquarters in Rochester, and was one of the first female managers at the company.
She and her husband lived on Tally-Ho Road from 1966 until 1986, when they moved to Marietta, Ga. While here, she was active in the Women’s Committee of the Ridgefield Community Center, and as a volunteer in St. Mary’s Parish.
Both she and her husband were avid bridge players, and Mrs. Esterheld also enjoyed painting.
Mrs. Esterheld returned to Connecticut two and one-half years ago, living at Laurel Ridge for a while before moving to Filosa.
Mrs. Esterheld is survived by two sons: Paul G. Esterheld of Palm Harbor, Fla., and John F. Esterheld of Danbury; two daughters: Joan Zawacki of Ridgefield and Lisbeth DeNapoli of Totowa, N.J.; two sisters: Sister Joan Fitzgibbons of Rochester and Winifred Hall of Penfield, N.Y.; six grandchildren: Raymond and Edward Esterheld, Jessica and Greg Zawacki and Jennifer and Mark Esterheld; and several nieces and nephews.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, Danbury, on Friday morning at 10. Burial will follow in St. Peter’s Cemetery. There will be no calling hours.
Contributions may be made to Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, 12 Cottage Street, Danbury, CT 06810.