Esther M. (Greenfield) Tierney, 93
Esther Tierney, 93, passed away Tuesday June 30, 2009, at Guardian Angel Homes in Lewiston, Idaho, surrounded by her family.
Esther was born Dec. 1, 1915, to Anthony and Caroline Greenfield, in Regan, N.D. Her Family moved to Sandpoint, Idaho, arriving on Armistice Day, Nov. 11, 1918. Esther attended school in Sandpoint and is still remembered as being the prettiest girl in school by some of the local ladies who were a little younger than her.
In 1934, Esther met and married Anton Walt Berger of Bonners Ferry, Idaho. Esther and Tony were involved with youth activities which included their son, Dick, and daughter Jackie. Doug, their third child, was born at the end of their 20-year marriage.
They were Cub Scout leaders for many years and had a hillbilly band, which played homemade instruments made by Tony. They traveled all over with the band and won many first-place awards in talent shows, including Starlit Stairway in Spokane. They also traveled with the band to Cran-brook, British Colum-bia, and played at the Ice Follies out on the middle of the ice.
Although they remained lifelong friends, in 1954, Esther and Tony were divorced.
Esther moved to Lewiston, where she was employed at Dick’s grocery then the Mighty Mart, which was owned by Richard A. (Dick) Tierney. Esther married Dick on Dec. 1, 1966.
After she retired, Dick and Esther purchased a home and property north of Bonners Ferry, in Good Grief. Esther moved onto the property and Dick kept working for several more years, getting away when he could and joining Esther.
Esther loved to fish, garden and maintain the property, making it look just like a park. She hosted potlucks for family and friends with horseshoe contests and other games. Guests came from great distances just to attend the gatherings.
At one point at the Good Grief property she was sure that she saw “bigfoot,” the creature of legend, appear on the property. The community still talks about the sighting. Her son, Doug, had a similar encounter one evening when he was there.
When her health was failing, they sold her country home and she moved back to Lewiston.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Anthony and Caroline Greenfield of Sandpoint; two brothers, Lorin Greenfield of Sagle and Bill Greenfield of Auburn Washington; two sisters, Cecilia McConnell of Lewiston and Caroline Pence of Tacoma; one grandson Cris Berger of Pullman; and her first husband Tony (Walt) Berger.
She is survived by her husband, Dick Tierney of Lewiston; her sister, Peggy Lee of Coeur d’Alene; Daughter Jackie of Lewiston; sons Dick of Moscow and Doug of Lewiston; and stepson Rick Tierney. She is also survived by nine grandchildren and many great- and great-great-grandchildren.