Obituary of Hester Jager

Hester Henriette Jager We celebrate the life of our mother and friend. Hester was born in 1930 in the Netherlands to Henriette Tichelman, a teacher, and Rudolf Voorhoeve, a forester and writer of children's books. Hester's childhood was spent on the island of Java, Indonesia – then a Dutch colony. She spent the last several years in a Japanese internment camp. After WWII, she returned to Holland and met Albert Jager, a metallurgist. She emigrated to work as a secretary in the embassy in Ottawa and then to the US where she married Albert who joined Revere Copper and Brass in Rome. Together, they formed the Microseal Company. After his death in 1988, Hester continued to operate the business with son Alex, until her recent death at the age of 88 following a TAVR operation. Hester made friends of all ages. She always had a fresh pot of coffee on and at least two kinds of cookies within arms' reach. At various times in her life, she enjoyed gardening, sailing, singing, playing piano, organ, and bridge, reading, crafts, and the company of her two large dogs. She was a member and former deacon of the First Presbyterian Church. Hester is survived by son Albert Alexander of Rome, NY, daughter Henriette and son-in-law Craig Brandt of Knoxville, TN, granddaughter Erika Brandt of Raleigh, NC, and cherished friends in Central New York. A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, November 13, 2018 at 11:00 A.M. at the First Presbyterian Church, Rome with Pastor Sam Pendergrast officiating. Arrangements by Strong-Burns & Sprock Funeral Home 7751 Merrick Road, Rome.