Esther, affectionately known as Mayin or Mami Yin, was born on July 11, 1929 in Manati, Puerto Rico. Welcoming her were her parents Josefa (Pepita) Martinez Dávila, Francisco Parés Sanchez and her brother Ricardo. When Esther was only 2 years old, both her 5 year old brother and their father died within months of each other. Eventually her mom got remarried to Jose de la Rosa, with whom she had 2 more children, Blanca and José Ramón. Esther excelled in school and at the age of 16 attended college at the University of Puerto Rico in Rio Piedras. She graduated after 3 years with a B.A. in English.
Finishing college was a prerequisite for her dad to allow her to marry Elijio (Mac) McGovert, who had waited 6 years for her while establishing his career with Greyhound Bus Lines and buying a home for them in San Jose, CA. The couple was married on October 16,1948, in her hometown church La Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria y San Matías (which is now in the U.S. National Register of historic places). After a brief honeymoon, Esther then left all of her family and familiar island culture behind and moved to the foreign mainland to begin her new life as a married woman. She was warmly embraced by her very large new Puerto Rican family, (Mac was the youngest of 8 children), which really helped with the transition. In September of 1949, their first child, Katherine Norma was born, followed by Richard Anthony in 1952, and BruceWayne in 1956.
Esther remained at home until 1962 when she went to work for the City of San Jose Police Department as a crossing guard. In 1963, Esther began her career at the Public Library and moved her way up through various positions ending up as Public Relations Coordinator until her retirement in 1982. Seeking a more desirable and affordable place to live, Mac & Esther moved to Vancouver, WA. They served very actively in Greater Portland Bible Church until 1992 when they moved to Boise, ID where they were members of Fellowship Baptist Church, which became The Cornerstone Church. Her beloved husband of 65 years, Mac, passed away in 2013 and Esther moved to Eagle in 2017 where she lived with Rich and Donna until she got her new and final address in Heaven.
Esther had 3 main passions … her faith, her family, and her friends. She was a faithful follower of Jesus since her decision to follow Him in 1980. It was at Los Gatos Christian Church where she gave her life to Jesus, was baptized, and joined the choir. Her 3 children gifted her with 8 grandchildren who then gifted her with 15 great grandchildren. She was proud of ALL of them, supporting them in ALL of their activities and boasting about ALL of their accomplishments to everyone! She was a cheerful servant from volunteering in hospitals and classrooms to ministering on mission trips to Mexico!! She loved cooking her famous Puerto Rican rice and beans which were always a family and church family pot luck favorite!! Esther was a bright light everywhere she went, exuding the joy of her Savior, often through the singing of hymns in her distinct soprano voice. Though it was sad to see that light slowly dim because of Dementia, Esther remained a real trooper attending countless grandchildren and great grandchildren’s activities. Most recently, she was often seen “walking” through the neighborhood saying hi to friends, and at the Flying Pickle watching Rich and Donna play Pickleball. She was always ready to go anywhere and do anything.
Esther was preceded in death by her 3 parents, one brother, her sister and her husband.She is survived by her brother Joe (Irma) of New Jersey, 3 children Kathy (Nick) of Vancouver, WA, Rich (Donna) of Eagle, Idaho and Bruce of Fairfax, CA, … and their families and numerous nieces and nephews.
A Celebration of Life will be held at Cornerstone Church 1023 S. Curtis Road, Boise at 2:00 pm on March 1, 2025 and will be Live Streamed/Saved on YouTube. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Cornerstone Missions Fund.