STEVER, Esther Gibson 74, of Sun City Center, passed away at her home after a long and stoic battle with cancer on Oct. 26, 2011. She began her career as a registered nurse at The House of the Good Samaritan in Watertown, NY. In 1983, Esther moved to Sun City Center, with her husband, Arthur "Art" Stever Jr. She continued her nursing career at South Bay Hospital until her retirement in 2001. Throughout her 50 years of nursing, she had the opportunity to touch the lives of many people, which was reflected in the care of her patients and the admiration and respect of her fellow medical professionals. Throughout her life, she provided care, comfort and support to family, friends and neighbors. Esther was an avid golfer and played regularly with the Kings and Queens as well as other golf organizations. Every week, she participated in the "Fox Hills Monday Night Social Club" and always lived life to the fullest. Most importantly, she was a loving grandmother, mother, sister and friend, Esther will be dearly missed by all. She was preceded in death by her husband, Art; two sisters, Janice Neddo and Helen Handshuh; two brothers, Victor and Gerald Gibson and her loving and devoted canine companion, Penny. Survivors include two daughters, Suzanne (Charles) Kimmett and Anita (Kevin) Bruckner; a son, Brian (Lisa) Scully; a step son, Arthur (Elizabeth) Stever III; four sisters, Florence and Elizabeth Gascon, Barbara and Betty Lowery; two brothers, Richard (Beryle) Gibson and Philip (Joann) Gibson, and eight grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be celebrated 2 pm Monday, Oct. 31, 2011, at Sun City Center Funeral Home, 1851 Rickenbacker Drive, Sun City Center. For her Northern family and friends, a second memorial service will be held in the late Spring at Brookside Cemetery-Watertown, NY. The family requests in lieu of flowers, memorials to the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer and Research Center, 12902 USF Magnolia Drive, Tampa, FL 33612, Susan G. Komen Foundation , Susan G. Komen Foundation , 5005 LBJ Freeway, Suite 250, Dallas, TX 75244 or LifePath Hospice, 3725 Upper Creek Drive, Ruskin, FL 33573. Arrangements by Sun City Center Funeral Home

Published in the St. Petersburg Times on October 30, 2011