Villette Louise Lester

Villette Louise (Meyer) Lester, born January 17, 1939, in Buffalo, New York, lived a life marked by family, curiosity, determination and a genuine love of people. Villette married Ronald Lester in 1957, beginning a marriage that lasted for more than six decades until his death a few years ago. Together, they raised three children, Doreen (Lester) Smith, David Lester, and Craig Lester. Villette was a devoted mother and a strong role model for her children, teaching them by example the importance of hard work, perseverance, and staying connected to the people who matter. She took great pride in her family and was especially proud of her grandchildren, Cassidy, Isaac, and Nathan Lester. She never missed an opportunity to talk about how happy she was for their accomplishments and the people they had become.

Villette and Ron shared a lifelong willingness to try new things. They enjoyed seeking out places and experiences that were out of the ordinary. On one memorable family trip, they traveled with their children deep into northern Canada, staying in some of the most off-the-beaten-path places imaginable. While raising their children in Marilla, New York, they also made a point of exposing them to experiences beyond their rural home, including regular trips to Toronto. That adventurous spirit continued into retirement.

After raising their children in the Buffalo area, Villette and Ron moved to Palm Harbor, Florida, where they made their home for several decades. They embraced the Florida lifestyle with regular trips to the Dunedin Causeway and built a life filled with family, friends and community. For several summers, Villette and Ron were park volunteers, spending time in the mountains of Georgia and later in parks in the western United States. They also bought a sailboat and spent several years enjoying life on the water. Whether traveling to remote places, volunteering in a national park, or learning their way around the local Florida waterways, they remained willing to try something new and make the most of the opportunities that came their way.

Villette brought determination and organization to everything she undertook. She worked for many years in print advertising and was known for her dedication to her job. That dedication was perhaps best demonstrated during the legendary Buffalo blizzard of 1977. With roads impassable and conditions so severe that many people could not get to work, Villette still reported for duty. When it was time to go home, she had to be driven through the blizzard on a snowmobile. Later in life, her outgoing and social nature led her to work as an activity director at an assisted living facility. She had a natural ability to bring people together and her enthusiasm helped create a sense of companionship and community for those around her. She subsequently spent many years volunteering with hospice, continuing a lifelong pattern of caring for others.

While family was at the center of Villette's life, she also had a remarkable ability to maintain relationships over many years. One of the best examples was a social club formed with her high school friends. Long after graduation, the women continued to meet regularly in one another's homes, maintaining their friendship for decades. Villette valued those enduring connections and remained actively engaged with friends throughout her life.

Villette also had a special talent for gardening. She took great pleasure in creating beautiful surroundings and the care she devoted to her gardens and landscaping reflected her attention to detail and appreciation for beauty.

Villette will be remembered for the way she lived—with determination, enthusiasm and with interest in the people around her. She was a loving mother and grandmother, a devoted wife, a loyal friend, and someone who continued to embrace new experiences throughout her many years. Her family and friends will miss her energy, her warmth and her pride in those she loved.

She is survived by her children, Doreen (Gregory) Smith, David (Laurie) Lester, and Craig Lester; her grandchildren, Cassidy Lester (Michael Valente), Isaac Lester and Nathan Lester; her siblings, Stuart Meyer and Lynette Meyer; and extended family and many friends who were fortunate to share her life.