Esterica Choban McGill passed away peacefully on Thursday, May 5, 2022, in Amherst, at the age of 92.

Esterica was born April 11, 1930, in South St. Paul, Minnesota. She received her bachelor of arts in both political science and secretarial science from the University of Minnesota. It was at the university that Esterica met George McGill, whom she married in 1955.

In 1958, Esterica and George moved to Amherst, where George joined the faculty of the geology department at UMass Amherst. Esterica devoted her time to raising their three daughters.

Growing up, Esterica was a talented drum majorette, leading many a drum and bugle corp. She was also a figure skater and member of the St. Paul Figure Skating Club. Summer skating in St. Paul included thrice-weekly Pop Concerts, where skaters performed along with the Minneapolis Symphony and The Civic Opera. The St. Paul Pop Concerts were famous nationwide, as they were the only show of its kind in the world. Esterica was a featured skater, performing both with a partner, and as a solo performer twirling her signature flaming batons.

Esterica introduced her daughters to her lifelong love of figure skating, two of whom skated for years throughout New England. Esterica was a charter member of the Skating Club of Amherst, where she was on the board for many years, serving as President, Secretary, and Test Chair. In 1979, Esterica began her career as a figure skating judge, and earned her gold appointment a decade later. Over the years, Esterica judged many regional events, including New Englands and North Atlantics. In 2010, Esterica was awarded the “Spirit of Skating Award” from the Providence and Pawtucket Rhode Island Figure Skating Club, honoring her decades-long commitment and contributions to the sport.

Esterica served as Precinct Warden for the Town of Amherst elections for many years. She was an avid reader of mystery novels, and enjoyed traveling with her husband, George. Esterica was also was a bit of a card shark, enjoying the game of Bridge with a dedicated group of friends throughout her adult life.

Esterica was predeceased by her husband of 63 years, George McGill. She is survived by her daughters Kathryn Ann McGill (Grahame Waghorn), Sandra McGill Piedmonte (Brian) and Edith McGill Glasgow (Robert). She is also survived by grandchildren Anthony Piedmonte, Brianna Piedmonte, Corinne Piedmonte, Meghan Glasgow, and great-grandson Jaxston Stauffer.

Graveside services for Esterica will be held at Wildwood Cemetery, Amherst, at 10:00 a.m. on June 30, 2022. Friends are welcome. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Hospice of the Fisher Home in Amherst.

Memorial guestbook at www.douglassfuneral.com