Esther LaFranco (nee Rubin), 91, of Princeton passed away peacefully on Monday, October 16,
2023. She was born on September 13, 1932, in Trenton, N.J. to the late Abraham Rubin and
Bessie Barker. She was married to the late Antonio LaFranco and lived in Lawrenceville before
moving to Princeton 29 years ago.
While singlehandedly raising her three young children, Esther earned a bachelor’s degree in
public administration. She worked as a paralegal at the NJ Public Employment Relations
Commission for more than 20 years. She was a proud member of the Princeton Community
Democratic Organization and the Princeton Senior Center, where she was involved in memoir
writing and other activities. She was an avid supporter of the Parkinson’s Foundation.
In addition to memoir writing, Esther also was passionate about astrology, antiquing, politics,
health and wellness, movies, the Boston Red Sox, and, most of all, her children and
grandchildren. She loved to share her stories and insights with family and friends and was always
generous with her time and her love. She was a devoted and loving mother, grandmother, sister,
and friend.
Esther’s favorite quotation was, “Family is the most important thing.” She lived by this motto,
always prioritizing her family over herself. She taught her children and grandchildren to “always
do the hard, right thing not the easy, wrong thing.” She will be greatly missed by all who knew
and loved her.
Esther is survived by three children, Mark Anthony LaFranco, Audrey Rita Maest, and Barry
Richard LaFranco; her son-in-law, Christopher Maest; two grandchildren, Eric and Rachel
Maest; and one sister, Frances Rubin.
A funeral service will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, October 19, at Orland’s Ewing
Memorial Chapel, 1534 Pennington Road in Ewing Township. Interment will follow at Brothers
of Israel Cemetery, 1100 Cedar Lane Cemetery, Hamilton.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Parkinsons Foundation,
https://secure3.convio.net/prkorg/site/Donation2?10243.donation=form1&df_id=10243&mfc_pr
ef=T.
The Popkin’s in North Carolina send their love and condolences. Esther was one of our favorite people in the whole wide world. May her love, generosity and kindness live on in our hearts and memories.
Cindy Popkin
Dear LaFranco Family,
Deepest sympathy…
Peter
I came later to the memoir group & always enjoyed Esther’s contributions. She was a gracious lady who sometimes invited us to meet in her home for lunch & memoir. It truly was a privilege to get acquainted with Esther. She will be much missed. My sincere condolences to her family.
It was both a joy and an intellectual challenge to work closely with Esther at the Public Employment Relations Commission for many years. Her professionalism and her love of family contributed to my own growth as an attorney and a husband and father. She relished in relating the stories of Trenton’s people and places. Having worked in Trenton for 45 years and having my career choice influenced by a Trenton native high school teacher I can claim the title of Trentonian.
Esther (Estelle) was my second cousin. We sometimes saw each other while attending plays at Princeton’s McCarter theater . I remember visiting her years ago when she first moved to Princeton. She was so happy to be living there.
She was always friendly and kind. We spoke on the phone around the holidays.
She will be missed
Esther was the Secretary in the Office of the General Counsel of the New Jersey Public Employment Relations Commission. She had to train me when I became General Counsel in 1984. She was an excellent mentor and efficient organizer. I shared her passion for the Boston Red Sox. In 1991, the Red Sox were playing their final three games in Memorial Stadium in Baltimore. The games were all rained out so the Orioles and Red Sox played a daytime doubleheader the next day. Dr. Seuss had just died and when I came to work that morning and talked to Esther it became clear that Dr. Seuss wanted us to go to the doubleheader. So we took a vacation day, went to the game, and I got a foul ball when Brady Anderson fouled off a Roger Clemens fast ball. I join with Esther now in saying to all who loved her: “Play Ball!”
Mom and I send our deepest sympathy to you and your family. We will always have fond memories of the Friday after Thanksgiving when we would visit and go to downtown Princeton to watch the Christmas tree lighting. Those were wonderful times! 🙂
My deepest sympathy goes out to Esther’s family in this time of loss. She was a devoted mom and was always kind and considerate. I enjoyed many gatherings and stimulating conversations with her. May she forever rest in peace. 🙏❤️