Esther S. Scaggs, Modern Maturity Center retiree

Esther S. Scaggs, 98, of Lewes, formerly of Dover, passed away peacefully Sunday, Oct. 3, 2021, with her daughter Karen Scaggs and her niece Jane Baum by her side.

Esther was born in Georgetown. She lettered in varsity basketball and volleyball at Georgetown High School where she graduated in 1940. She worked at the Five and Dime in Georgetown in 1939 and then started working at Diamond State Telephone Company in 1941. She was working the switchboard the day of the attack at Pearl Harbor. She said the switchboard lit up like a Christmas tree when news hit about the attack.

She met her husband, Fred, at a USO dance during World War II. She moved to Wilmington when she got married in 1952 and continued working for the telephone company. In 1965, she moved with her husband and three daughters to Dover. For a period, she was a kindergarten teacher at People’s Church in Dover. Later she worked at Hopkins Motor Coach, Dawson Bus Service, and Modern Maturity Center from which she retired at the age of 87.

Esther loved music and enjoyed watching the Lawrence Welk Show. She loved spending time with family and friends, visiting the boardwalk and going out for an ice cream treat. She always had a beautiful smile and only saw the good in people. To many she was considered a kindhearted person.

Esther was preceded in death by her husband of 53 years, Fred Scaggs; her daughter Nancy I. Scaggs; her parents; and her four sisters and three brothers. She is survived by her two daughters, Judy Dersch of York, Pa., and Karen Scaggs of Lewes; five grandchildren, Rachel Smith (Justin), Phil Dersch (Nina), Charis Dersch and Adam Dersch, all of Pennsylvania, and Jordan Dersch of Hong Kong; nine great-grandchildren, Tyler, Hunter, Jade and Haley Smith, Aidan, Evelyn, Logan and Madelyn Dersch, and Aubree Dersch, all of Pennsylvania; and many nieces and nephews.

A viewing will be held from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 9, with services to follow at noon at Torbert Funeral Chapel, 1145 E. Lebanon Road, Dover. Interment will follow at Sharon Hill Cemetery. The family suggests memorial contributions to Modern Maturity Center, Meals on Wheels, 1121 Forrest Ave., Dover, DE 19904.

Services will be livestreamed by Torbert Funeral Chapel at torbertfuneral.com.

Letters of condolence may be sent and guestbook signed at www.torbertfuneral.com.