Esther Felisa Kalisky

Esther Felisa Kalisky (nee Sotenberg) died at her home in Lincoln on Sunday November 27, 2022, at the age of 94. She is survived by her three children, Lyvia, of Jerusalem, Ilona, of Waltham, and Matthew Kalisky, of Newton, and her two grandchildren, Zara Kalisky-Tetreault, of Acton, and Coltrane Kalisky-Tetreault, of Waltham.

Esther, the youngest of two children, was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina on October 31, 1928 to Jacob and Elena Sotenberg, who left Poland to escape the persecution of Jews in their homeland.

After finishing high school, Esther traveled to the United States in 1949 with her mother to live with an aunt and attend junior college. In 1950, she met the son of a family friend, Avram Kalisky, whom she married 3 months later. They were married for 69 years until he died in 2019, raising their family in Sudbury.

There are many things that can be said about Esther-she spoke 4 languages, still dreaming in Spanish at times. She lived in Israel twice-once in the 50’s and once from 1972-1989.

She never really knew her grandparents or many of her extended family most of whom had remained in Poland. As a result, she moved back to the States when her first grandchild was born and was a constant presence in her grandchildren’s lives, always living close by.

She always worked outside of the home, but never really had a career. She made many of her daughters’ and granddaughter’s dresses as well as her own. She loved art-and had wanted to be an artist when younger. She loved to knit and read, joining groups for both. She loved to travel. Her last trip was to Israel with her grandchildren in 2017.

She was a staunch feminist, reacting with a smile when told that the Democrats were keeping control of the Senate. Her grandchildren will maintain until their dying day that the repeal of Roe v. Wade is what killed her. She did not suffer fools gladly. Esther would never shy away from giving her opinion, sometimes causing those around her to cringe. Her highest compliment was to say that someone “sparkled”. In her opinion not too many people met that standard. If you did something that she thought was noteworthy, it felt like the sun was shining on you and you alone.

Having dealt with several serious health issues during her life, Esther decided to donate her body to Harvard Medical School, so no funeral service will be held.

We would like to thank those who provided care for Esther-Sudbury River Home Care and Care Dimensions Hospice.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Esther’s name can be made to the Lincoln Council on Aging, Friends of the Lincoln Library or Planned Parenthood.