Native Milwaukeean Esther M. Padway died in Alameda, Calif., on May 5, following a short illness.
She grew up in Milwaukee and as an adult was active in community affairs. She was a fundraiser for the National Home for Asthmatic Children and volunteered as secretary to the Florentine Opera Company in the 1960s. She also served as a Cub Scout den mother for nine years.
When her children were older, she returned to college, earning bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Wisconsin and University of California, respectively.
A well-known educator, she pioneered the first ungraded primary classroom in Wisconsin for the Grafton School District, which nominated her for National Teacher of the Year. After moving to California, she worked as a curriculum consultant to the Napa Unified School District and later became principal of the Alto Edna McGuire School in Mill Valley.
Following her retirement from teaching, she joined her husband, Alfred, in creating Insurance Personnel Service, an employment agency. She was an active member of the National Association of Insurance Women. According to her family, she was “a pillar of the insurance community” in San Francisco.
She is survived by sons Michael Padway and Laurence Padway, both of Alameda, and Robert Padway of Piedmont, Calif.; a sister; and five grandchildren. Her husband died in 1994.
Services were held May 7 in Alameda with burial in Mt. View Cemetery in Oakland.
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