Obituary of Esther Irene McCool

"<a href="http://streaming.funeralone.com/webtributes/92/142.asf">View Video Tribute</a> Esther I. (King) McCool, 86, of Metacomet St., died February 15th at Holyoke Hospital. Born September 17, 1918 in Hartford, CT, she was the daughter of the late L. Henry and M. Irene (Easton) King. Esther grew up in Granby and was a lifelong resident until she moved to Belchertown in 2003. She was a graduate of South Hadley High School and Northampton Commercial College. She was an assessor for the Town of Granby for 10 years and retired in 1986. She also worked for 20 years as a licensed agent and broker for King-McCool Insurance Agency in Granby. She was a personnel supervisor for Technifax Corp. in Holyoke as well as Plastic Coating and Scott Graphics of South Hadley. She served as the secretary to the President of Oakes Electric Co. in Holyoke and secretary to the Registrar and Judge of Hampshire County. She was the secretary of Rationing during WWII, V.P. of Granby – South Hadley Girl Scout Council and the Women’s Club at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church. She was also the past President of the Granby P.M. Club, a member of the Women’s Club and Council on Aging in Granby, and was a state-appointed member of the Granby Housing Authority for 10 years. Esther was a member of the Granby Chamber of Commerce and Holyoke Hospital Aidette Group. She was known for her skill as a great Bridge player and she enjoyed hours of scrabble, cribbage, crossword puzzles and Yahtzee. She was an avid reader of mystery novels and anything about Jewish History and the Amish. Her greatest joy was her family and the time spent with them and keeping track of what was happening in their lives. She will be deeply missed by her two daughters, Maureen Bail of Granby and Mary Ann Bail with whom she lived and her two sons John Jr. of Austin, TX and Kevin of Seekonk, MA. She is also survived by her 11 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her husband John J. McCool, Sr. in 1979, her sister Elizabeth White and brother Edward King. A funeral service will begin at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday February 19th from the Beers and Story South Hadley Funeral Home, 646 Newton St.(Rte. 116) followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Granby. Burial will follow in West Cemetery. Calling hours are Friday February 18th from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. Memorial donations may be made in Esther’s memory to Friends of Granby Public Library, Library Ln., Granby, MA 01033 or Immaculate Heart of Mary Remembrance Fund, 256 State St., Granby, MA 01033. "