Mrs. Esther M. Colbert

Mrs. Esther M. Hailey Colbert Esther was born May 15, 1931, in Steelton, Pennsylvania, daughter of the late Ashton Hailey and the late Lena Riley Hailey. She received her formal education in the Steelton School District. As evidence of her faith, she was united in Christian fellowship with the Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church, Steelton, under the pastorate of the late Rev. Dr. T. Orestus Wilson. Esther, affectionately known as “P-Mom,” was the matriarch of a large clan. After marrying Sam Colbert in 1959, they became the Brady Bunch times two. Sam was known by his first granddaughter as “P-Pop,” and there already being a “Nana,” this new grandmother was dubbed “P-Mom” by Chrissy. In recent years, we began having Colbert/Hailey reunions—WE ARE FAMILY. Esther loved to have a good time. Certainly always sharp, she was one of the Westside’s finest and best-dressed. She was loved by all and treated everyone with respect. If you knew her you remember hearing often, “Be nice” and “Life’s too Short.” These words she lived by and she lived and had a good life. Ms. Esther certainly could also “nicely” set you straight! She was a no-nonsense lady who would tell you like it was and/or certainly you could read it on her face. Mom loved teddy bears. She started her collection, and it was added to by everyone to include mugs, t-shirts, knickknacks; and, of course, the overrun of stuffed bears outgrew her house. Esther’s employment path included the former Bayuk Cigar Factory, Dauphin Manor, Jones’ Corner and co-proprietor of the former Russell’s Bar, Steelton. She generally enjoyed life sometimes with a good game of bingo or just being creative using her sewing skills. Most of all, she loved being with family and friends and shared a special and unique relationship with each of her birth-children, stepchildren and her seventh child Tonya. At eighty-two years of age, while at the Carolyn Croxton Slane Hospice Residence, Harrisburg, PA, on Wednesday, March 12, 2014, Esther passed from labor to reward transitioning into life eternal. In addition to her parents, and her husband, Samuel Edward Colbert, she was preceded in death by one sister, Virginia “Sis” Robinson, one brother, Carroll Thomas “Knob” Hailey, and her stepson, Ronald Colbert. She leaves to celebrate her life and cherish many special memories her six children, Rosalind Taylor and her husband Richard, Lena Carter and her husband Avery, Richard Hailey and his wife Vickie, Samuel G. Colbert Sr., Amanda Colbert and Terence Colbert and his wife Patricia; and one brother, Richard Hailey. Her memory will also be lovingly honored and cherished by her four stepchildren, Tamera Colbert Myers, Carlton Colbert and his wife Elaine, Donna Lee Madden and Norma Burnett; as well as her eleven grandchildren, thirteen great grandchildren, one great-great granddaughter, Kassidy Patterson, who captured her heart during these last months, eighteen step grandchildren, twenty-seven step great grandchildren; other relatives and friends. Lovingly Submitted, The Family Mrs. Colbert’s life will be celebrated at 1 p.m., Tuesday, March 18th, at Wallace Funeral Directors with viewing from 12 to 1 p.m. and interment at William Howard Day Cemetery.

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Mrs. Esther M. Colbert

May 15, 1931 - March 12, 2014