Esther Black

1933 – 2022

West Springfield – Esther (Strong) Black, 88, died peacefully Friday morning at a local nursing home.  Esther was born in Springfield, the daughter of the late Arthur and Grace (Bates) Strong.  She lived in West Springfield all her life, graduating from West Springfield High School in 1951. She and her late husband, owned and operated Hank's Card Shop for many years.  Esther was very active with the former Church of Good Shepherd, where she was involved with the Lenten Lunches and fundraising.  Her husband Henry Black died in 1998.  She leaves her children; Robin Giroux and her husband David, George Rier; Carolyn Orde, Barry Black, his wife Lynn and the late Dorian Black.  She also leaves twelve grandchildren, twelve great grandchildren, and his siblings; Irma Eckles, Gordon Strong and Norma Hopper.   Visiting hours will be held at the West Springfield Curran-Jones Funeral Home Saturday starting at 10:00am and ending with a funeral home service at 11:00am.  The burial will follow in St. Thomas Cemetery.  For online condolences please visit curranjones.com.  In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the American Heart Association.