Esther Paugh

Esther S. Paugh, 97, of Tottenville and Ocean Grove, N.J., who's family and church were very important to her, died Friday in Staten Island University Hospital, Prince's Bay.

Born Esther A. Sorensen in Perth Amboy, N.J., she moved to Tottenville as an infant. She and her daughter recently rebuilt their Ocean Grove home after Hurricane Sandy's destruction, where Mrs. Paugh enjoyed spending summers.

After graduating from Tottenville High School, Mrs. Paugh received a scholarship to Packard's Business College, Manhattan, and later attended the former Staten Island Community College.


Mrs. Paugh began her career as an executive secretary at Chase National Bank's Manhattan headquarters, but left to become a full-time mother and homemaker, during which time she also volunteered with the church, Girl Scouts and got involved in other community issues.

Upon returning to the work force, she became a school secretary for the city Department of Education and substituted at many local schools including Tottenville High School and PS 25, Pleasant Plains. She retired from PS 37, Great Kills, in the 1990s.

Three years ago, Mrs. Paugh received a 75-year member pin from the Huguenot chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star. She also belonged to Danish Sisterhood Lodge 36, Edison, N.J., the Tottenville Historical Society, the Ocean Grove Historical Society and was a charter member of the Tottenville Chapter of AARP.

She loved keeping in touch with family members through e-mail, and enjoyed sailing, cooking, reading, baking, knitting, crocheting and tatting. She also enjoyed reading the Bible and three newspapers daily and solving crossword puzzles and word searches. During the summer, she'd attend music programs at the Ocean Grove Auditorium.

Mrs. Paugh was the oldest member of St. Paul's United Methodist Church, Tottenville, where she assisted her daughter in the music program as choir librarian and singing in the senior choir. A 70-year member of the church, she served as chair of the Music/Worship Committee, chair of the Sunshine Committee, church historian, member of the administrative council, the United Methodist Women and choir.

Mrs. Paugh was predeceased by her husband of 58 years, Robert R., who died in 1998.

She is survived by her daughter, Nancy A. Paugh, and brothers, Allen T. and Gerald A. Sorensen.

The Bedell Pizzo Funeral Home, Tottenville, is handling the arrangements, which include a 10 a.m. service tomorrow at St. Paul's Methodist Church followed by a burial in Ocean View Cemetery, Oakwood.

Services: St. Pauls U.M. Church on Monday January 6, 2014 at 10:00 AM. Burial will follow at Ocean View Cemetery

Visitation: Sunday January 5, 2014 at Bedell -Pizzo Funeral Home from 2-4 & 7-9 PM

Cemetery: Ocean View Cemetery

Location: Bedell-Pizzo Funeral Home

Church: St. Paul's United Methodist Church