Milwaukie, OR - Esther Morris Richards was born on December 15, 1926, in Baker City, Oregon. She passed away in her home in Milwaukie, Oregon on June 23, 2025, at the age of 98 years.

Esther's family moved to Pendleton, Oregon when she was just 2 years old. Pendleton was her home for 40 years and is where she grew up, attended school, met her husband and started a family. As a young child, Esther was diagnosed with tuberculosis and spent a great deal of time away from her family at Shriner's Hospital for Children in Portland. A difficult time for her, Esther recalled her memories at Shriner's as lonely and bleak, however she always credited the doctors and nurses there for saving her life. After overcoming her childhood illness, she graduated from Pendleton High School in 1945 and attended the Eastern Oregon College of Education in La Grande for one year on a scholarship. On July 2, 1947, Esther married John Henry Richards. At the time of their marriage, Esther and John were both employees of the Pendleton Woolen Mill. In 1954, Esther became a mother as she welcomed her son Jeffrey Thomas into the family, and in 1958, a daughter Patricia Lee made the family complete. Esther loved being a member of the Pendleton community and attending the local events, large and small. A favorite of hers, of course was the Pendleton Round Up. She loved the parades, pageantry and culture that the Round Up brought to town!

In 1968, Esther and her family moved to Milwaukie, Oregon. There, she worked as a bookkeeper for the Randall Company for many years. In 1987, she lost her beloved husband John. He was only 61 years old and at the time Esther was just 60. She continued to live in their family home for her remaining 38 years.

In retirement, Esther enjoyed regularly attending plays and concerts in Portland with friends. She belonged to a group of women who gathered regularly to play bridge. Esther also loved to travel both locally and abroad. Annually, she planned a family trip to the Oregon Coast (usually for the 4th of July, continuing a tradition that began with her honeymoon). Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren have many childhood memories from these trips. Esther also traveled throughout the United Kingdom where she met with family members that she located while tracing her family's genealogy.

Esther is survived by her son Jeff, her daughter Patti, her granddaughters Angela and Karla (Levi) and four great-grandchildren; Taj, Taylor, Henry and Augustus. She was proceeded in death by her parents, her siblings, and her husband.

Esther will be laid to rest alongside her husband John. H Richards Jr., at Olney Cemetery in Pendleton. Arrangements and services are being handled by Burns Mortuary.