Esther Kissling of Jenkintown, PA, age 98, passed away on August 23, 2019.

She was born on July 10, 1921 to Max and Catherine (Pukicz) Lazoration. Esther (her given name, Anastasia) was the fourth of seven children. She grew up in the farming community of Churchville, New York, just outside of Rochester.

Mrs. Kissling served as a medic in World War II at the U.S. Naval Base in Great Lakes, Michigan. There she conducted specialized instruction of pilots on the dangers of oxygen system failures at altitude.

After WWII, Mrs. Kissling attended the Michael Reese Hospital School of Nursing in Chicago. Upon graduation, she became a highly sought after, private duty nurse in the Chicago area.

Just prior to the Korean War, Esther Kissling returned to the Navy and was granted a commision as a full lieutenant in the Navy Nurse Corps. Throughout the 1950's, she would go on to serve at various naval hospitals overseas, including Guam and Japan. Mrs. Kissling's last duty station
was at the US Naval Hospital in Portsmouth, Virginia. She was a decorated US Navy nurse, attaining the rank of Lt. Commander. Mrs. Kissling had the singular distinction of training one of the US Navy Nurse Corps first admirals.

Esther was the devoted wife of Paul Timothy Kissling, a US Navy Commander and WWII aviator. The Kisslings were married thirty-eight years before Paul passed away in 1999.

While living in Jenkintown, Pennsylvania, Esther Kissling volunteered her nursing services to local, Red Cross blood drives. Mrs. Kissling is survived by her son, Mark Kissling of Jenkintown along with many nieces and nephews, special neighbors and close friends.

Her family would like to invite everyone to a memorial service at Grace Presbyterian Church, 444 York Rd., Jenkintown, PA, 19046 on Wednesday, September 4, 2019 at 11:30 AM. Interment will be held at a later date at the St. Vincent De Paul Cemetery in Churchville, NY.