In Memorium: Mary Esther Garner Obremskey

From Spur, Texas to Charleston, South Carolina and adventures along the way … Mary Esther Garner Obremskey’s life journey came to an end on Thursday, April 21, 2016. She made the crossing while in the arms of her husband of 47 years, Dr. Michael Obremskey, and daughters Amber Obremskey Cooley of Atlanta, Georgia and Halina Obremskey Miller of Ponte Vedra, Florida. Her passing was a beautiful yet penetratingly sad event, which began over two years ago when she was diagnosed with non-smokers lung cancer. What a brave, inspiring and selfless woman she was.

Mary Esther was born in Spur, Texas on December 2, 1943. At the age of eight months old she lost her father, William Wilson Garner, in the battle of Leyte Gulf during WWII. He was a decorated fighter pilot. She was raised by her devoted single mother Oscarina Garner. The absence of her father and rearing by her mother were two events in her life that helped to shape her self-directed, optimistic, persistent, happy and confident personality. She decided what she wanted to do in her life and did it.

Mary Esther attended the University of Texas and received many honors including Texas Sweetheart for her selfless and caring nature. She was also a member of the Alpha Phi sorority and represented the university and the U.S. State Department during an exchange program in South America where she became fluent in Spanish.

Upon graduation Mary Esther became one of President Lyndon B. Johnson’s personal secretaries in the White House. This job opportunity afforded her the ability to travel the world and meet a variety of influential individuals. Following her years at the White House, she continued her professional career at the Organization of American States (OAS) as Secretary to the Secretary General.

Mary Esther expanded her career further by transitioning to the building industry as Marketing Director at the Sequoia Building Corporation. She became interested in this field following the contracting of her home in Oakton, Virginia. This led to a position as Director of the Fairfax City Coalition, which focused on the community development of the City.

While she was successful in her career, Mary Esther’s most important roles in life were as a wife to Michael (married on July 27, 1968), mother to Amber and Halina, and grandmother to Pierce, Henley, Carys and Garner. They will forever call her ME.

She loved spending time with her family, especially during retirement after moving to Daniel Island in September 2006. While enjoying “island” life, Mary Esther was very active in the community, spearheading many wonderful social events for her neighbors and volunteering in the kindergarten reading program at Cainhoy Elementary School. Additionally, she took up the game of golf and Euchre with the girls at the Daniel Island Club. She enjoyed her time with friends so much and shared many wonderful laughs.

Mary Esther deeply influenced the hearts of others. She had such a beautiful smile and laugh. She lived her life with kindness, sunshine and sparkle. We miss her deeply and will make it our continued mission to share her eternal love and light with those around us.

For those who wish to offer a memorial gift, we are requesting that in lieu of flowers, gifts be made to:

Golfers for Education - Cainhoy School (checks should be made out to this): C/O: Mr. Ray Bolek, 651 Island Park Drive, Charleston, SC 29492.