WASHINGTON
Esther Fay Ledbetter was born on July 23rd, 1924, in Rumford, Maine. She died on March 25 th, 2024 the same way she lived, beautifully, peacefully, surrounded by loved ones just a few months from her 100th birthday. Fay was third of six siblings, the first to be born in the United States. Her parents, Goldie and Morley Wenzel came from Nova Scotia to create an easier life for their growing family. Though they didn’t have much, Fay’s love for Maine remained strong throughout her life – a love shared with children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
In the fall of 1942, serving as a ‘Rosie the Riveter’ welder, she met a handsome Navy man from Indiana named Ray Hart, who was stationed in Portsmouth, NH. They fell in love and were soon married. While he shipped out to the Pacific, she stayed with family until daughter Cate (nee Cathy) was born. Having never left Maine/NH, she bravely packed up a few things for herself and her baby and boarded a train to Indiana when Ray returned from the service. They had another daughter, Cynthia and settled into a life together in Washington, IN. Her lifelong love of cooking and entertaining came in handy as they ran restaurants together,
including the Chat and Nibble and the Bluebird Cafe, home of the famous Spudnuts.
Even after retiring, she continued to work, finding great joy in helping Cate with her growing Green Thumb Pre-School. She also made pies at Arnold’s Red & White and worked at The Wardrobe. She would eventually start Fay’s Catering, specializing in weddings, making magnificently ornate cakes and singlehandedly serving multi- course dinners. She was a prodigious knitter, gifting family and friends with her Christmas sweaters and other creations.
She later fell in love and married Joe Ledbetter. He was the perfect Papa Joe to the grandchildren. Together they renovated a beautiful old house on Walnut Street just across from the First Baptist Church where she was an active parishioner and sang in the choir for decades. Later they would move to W 16th street, growing enough vegetables to feed many families, an acre of strawberries and the most incredible flower beds around. They ultimately settled in Tennessee, Joe’s home state – with an even bigger garden.
When Joe passed away, Fay moved to Florida to be closer to her beloved sisters Iris and Florrie and their respective husbands Norman and Charlie. She never stopped laughing when they were all together and wouldn’t have traded that time for the world. As they all grew older, Fay returned to Washington and spent her last years filled with wonderful friends at her homes in Sunset Towers and Emerald Place (now Cedar Creek).
One of the most important aspects of her life, Fay was a member of Beta Sigma Phi sorority for over 70 years. She attended state and national conventions and shared many travel adventures with her sorority sisters. She was ever stylish with her matching outfits and just-set hair -thanks to Bev for close to 70 years of Friday afternoon appointments.
Fay was adventurous, beautiful, wise, kind, generous and a good friend to all. She loved Christmas, IU basketball, red raspberry preserves -with seeds, lobster, pickles, rhubarb pie, and chocolate cake donuts topped with shredded coconut.
She loved her family, and they loved her back. She leaves behind her daughters Cate Hyatt (Bob) of Columbus, IN and Cynthia Delaney (Mike) of Englewood, FL. She treasured visits from her five grandchildren: Shannon Hart Herrington, Brandon Gaither-Bussinger (German Gaither-Bussinger), Shelby Hawkins, Colin Hawkins, Zak Hawkins. and five great granddaughters (Molly, Clara, Sophie, Scarlett, & Lexi) as well as many beloved nieces and nephews. She is predeceased by her parents, siblings and husband Joe Ledbetter.
On a bright sunny day, you might catch a glimpse of Fay and Joe driving their blue Cadillac in the sky, listening to Don Ho with her dear dog Bootsie by her side. They’ll be headed to Maine for a Wenzel/Kaulback family reunion with all who preceded her. She will be missed.
In her memory, enjoy a big bowl of berries, plant some yellow roses to share with a friend, or visit the Daviess County Historical Museum and consider leaving a donation.
Her family would like to express their deep gratitude to the Cedar Creek staff, ViaQuest Hospice team, and Neptune Society for their many loving kindnesses.
