Born in Manistique, Mich., on October 16, 1928, she was the daughter of the late Harry Eriksen and Edith Rood Eriksen. She obtained degrees in both art and higher education, and held various positions, including that of art teacher, visual specialist with Time, Inc. and photographs editor with World Book, Inc. After retirement, she moved to Tryon, North Carolina.

She is pre-deceased by her husband, James L. Estes, her two brothers, Harry and George Eriksen, and her cousin, John Bentley.

She is survived by her sister-in-law Kitty Eriksen, two special cousins Jennifer and Jean Bentley, several nieces and nephews, and a number of godchildren.

In 2001, her life&squo;s spiritual journey brought her to the Adawehi Wellness Center in Columbus. She was a beloved member of the community the last eight years of her life, and is especially remembered by her five household members. She was a dedicated participant, evidenced by her spiritual growth, her ever-present generosity and her genuine caring. She is also remembered, by all her knew her, for her beautifully feisty and courageous spirit, her mind&squo;s astonishing ability of recall, her always playful sense of humor, and her acceptance of the quirks of human nature.

A service in celebration of her life will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 16, 2009 at the Adawehi Institute, 93 Adawehi Lane, Fox Mountain Road, Columbus, N.C. 28722. Telephone: 828-894-5260.

Memorial gifts can be made to Hospice of the Carolina Foothills, 130 Forest Glen Drive, Columbus, N.C. 28722 or to Adawehi Wellness Center, P. O. Box 1459, Columbus, N.C. 28722.

An online guest register may be signed at www.mcfarlandfuneralchapel.com

McFarland Funeral Chapel, Tryon.