Esther Pilot

Esther Pilot, age 91 years of Berrien Springs, Michigan died at 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 10, 2014 following a brief illness.
She was born on April 8, 1923 in Chicago, Illinois to Antonia and Carmela (Molito) Garritano. She has lived in Dowagiac, Niles, and Berrien Springs most of her life. She was employed for many years in the bakery of the Wick’s Apple House in Dowagiac.

Esther had a long family history at Holy Maternity of Mary Catholic Church in Dowagiac, and was currently a member of Saint Mark Catholic Church in Niles. She enjoyed flowers, and watching the birds and butterflies in her yard. She is remembered by her family as having many talents, but especially for her love and care of her family, and the many special hugs and kisses.

On May 30, 1947 at Holy Maternity of Mary Catholic Church she married Andrew Pilot with whom she celebrated the fifty-seventh anniversary of their wedding prior to his death on September 13, 2004. They were also preceded in death by a daughter, Patricia Pence in 1998; a great-granddaughter, Elena Centofanti; and Esther’s brothers, Joe Garritano and Albert Garritano.

Surviving family includes two daughters, Sally (& Butch) Dohm of Berrien Springs, and Linda (& Dan) Parmley of Edwardsburg, Michigan; grandchildren Andrew (& Nichole) Dohm, Melissa (& Ron) Centofanti, Nicholas (& Stacey) Dohm, Trevor (& Jill) Parmley, Josh (& Tiffany) Parmley, Shannon Parmley, Sara Pence, and Derrick (& Tammy) Pence; eleven great-grandchildren; and Esther’s sister, Mary Chappel of Berrien Springs, and brothers, Victor (& Joan) Garritano of Niles and Arnie Garritano of Dowagiac; and many nieces and nephews.

The Mass of Christian Burial for Esther Pilot will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, September 15, 2014 at Holy Maternity of Mary Catholic Church in Dowagiac by the Rev. Kevin Covert. Committal Rites will follow at Mission Hills.

The family will receive relatives and friends on Sunday, from 2:00 until 4:00 p.m. at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles. Contributions in memory of Esther Pilot may be made to Fernwood Botanic Gardens & Nature Center, 13988 Rangeline Road, Niles, Michigan 49120.

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