Esther Reid Friedrichs

Esther Reid Friedrichs (1921 - 2021) May 16, 1921 - April 24, 2021 sought to live a joyful, active life of service, and family. Esther was born in Burlington, Vermont, to Joanna Dow (Croft) Reid and Edward H Reid. With younger sister Ruth, deceased just six weeks prior to Esther, they maintained a summer home there for the extended family. Devoted to all things ‘Livonia’, an ardent supporter of civil and voting rights, and non-violence. Esther and husband Donald E Friedrichs (d. 2006) are survived by their six children and their families: Thomas (Kathy Solley) Atlanta, GA; David (Kathy McPhail) Ann Arbor, MI; Anne (Stephany Smith) Middlebury, VT; Mark (Julie Saulnier) Bethesda, MD; Sarah (Rob Collins) Lake Forest, IL; Linda (Craig Nelson) Nashville, TN. Their 15 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren are widely dispersed across the country. Esther was an active civic volunteer as the children were raised, and as Don made his career in Livonia Public Schools, first as Principal of Livonia Bentley then Assistant Superintendent and finally Director of Community Education. Esther went on to teach senior swim and water aerobics at Schoolcraft College for 22 years, until age 83, as well as lead exercise at the Livonia Senior Center. By doing so she resumed teaching Physical Education (PE), her first job after college in 1942 (Univ of Wisconsin). Esther earned the First Salute to Women as a founding member and President of the Livonia League of Women Voters, an active member of Livonia Rotary-Ann’s, Livonia Town Hall, and a volunteer probation officer for the Livonia District Court. Esther served as a member of the Livonia City Planning Commission and was an active member of the American Field Service (AFS) chapter providing host homes to international students and establishing lasting relationships with many foreign students over the years. A devoted Book Group member for decades, as her role as a grandmother evolved, she said to her grandchildren: “I’ll always be curious about what you’re reading; and hope you’ll share your thoughts on favorite books with me.” In later years, she and Don enjoyed traveling extensively, visiting over 35 countries. They were founding members at the Livonia “Y” and served on planning committees for the Livonia Rec Center and the Senior Center. Well into her 90’s, she volunteered at the used bookstore in the lobby of the Civic Center Library. Annually, she helped lead the AAUW used book sale, even storing books awaiting sale piled high in the family garage. Always looking for ‘the sunny side’, Esther was a vibrant force of optimism. Age brought compromises as her life slowed and she developed an orthostatic tremor. She always remembered her grandchildren’s and great grandchildren’s birthdays and serving ice cream to every guest. Gifts in memory of Esther can be sent to the Universalist Unitarian Church of Farmington, 25301 Halsted Rd, Farmington Hills, MI 48335; the League of Women’s Voters, P.O. Box 51502, Livonia, MI 48151; or the Livonia Public Library, 32777 Five Mile Rd, Livonia, MI 48154. Please share a memory of Esther on her Tribute Wall.