Esther Nelkin, 98, died Wednesday, April 4, 2012, at The Atriums.

Memorial services were held Friday, April 6, at The Louis Memorial Chapel. Contributions may be made to Hadassah or a charity of one’s choice.

Esther was born in Kansas City and lived here most of her life.

She was an executive secretary for several private firms for 15 years. She was a former officer of the Kansas City branch of Hadassah.

Esther was a life member of the Jewish Geriatric Center and was a volunteer worker there for 25 years. She was a volunteer tutor in the Quest program at Southwest High School for three years and later a volunteer reading tutor at Border Star School.

She was a member of Brandeis, ORT organization, Menorah Medical Center Auxiliary, National Museum of Women in the Arts and a former member of the International Platform Association.

Esther was a volunteer worker for the Head Start Program in St. Louis, during several years of residence there.

During her earlier years, she was active in dramatic productions at the Resident Theatre at the old Jewish Community Center at Linwood and Wayne.

She was a former member of Kehilath Israel Synagogue and The Temple, Congregation B’nai Jehudah.

Esther was preceded in death by her husband of more than 50 years, Cecil; a son, Neal Ross; her sister, Laura Lewis; and her brother, Harry LeVine.

She is survived by her daughter, Valerie Nelkin (Alan Cohen); and many loving nieces, nephews, extended family, friends and her wonderful caregivers, Donna Hutsell and Joyce Bates.

An online guest book is available at www.louismemorialchapel.com.

Arr: The Louis Memorial Chapel, 816-361-5211.