Sr. Esther Del Duca MPF. 96, died Monday Nov 28th at Saint Joseph Hall, Villa Walsh Morristown, NJ A mass of Christian burial will be celebrated by the Rev. John DelDuca. Born in Camden, NJ Sister Esther entered the Religious Teachers Filippini on Feb 27 1933. She received the habit on July 8, 1934 and made her religious profession on July 5 1937. Sister Esther was awarded a BS in art and a minor in elementary education from Teachers College, New York and a Masters in elementary education with a minor in child study from Catholic University of America, Washington, DC. Sr Esther ministered at Villa Victoria Academy, Trenton NJ as an upper grade teacher as well at St Ann New York, Villa Walsh, Morristown NJ Purification BVM Ellwood City Pa. Holy Redeemer, Cleveland Ohio St Joachim Trenton, NJ and St Peter Merchantville, NJ In addition to teaching, Sr Ester served as principal and superior of the convents in Ellwood City, Cleveland and Trenton. She served as assistant directress of novices and she also served for two years as the directress of novices. In 1966, Sister was elected as general Superior of the Religious Teachers Filippini during the community's general chapter. She was the first native born American to lead the order. At that time she had jurisdiction over six provinces, three in Italy and three in the United States. along with foundations in Brazil, Canada, England Ireland and Switzerland. Sr Esther accomplied the first group of sisters to Adrigrat Ethiopa, to open a mission which was sorely needed for the Christian and human development of the people. In Sept. 1969, she received 58 sisters from the Maestre Pie Filippini, Diocese of Montefiascone into the Pontficial Institute of the Maestre Pie Filippini. Sister's solictude, maternal love and assistance in helping the Sister's acclimate was truly appreciated. In 1972 when her term as general superior was complete, Sister volunteered her services in Brazil with edifying availability. In 1975 she returned to the United States where she served as principal at Our Lady Queen of Peace, Maywood, NJ and then at Most Holy Rosary, Perth Amboy, NJ Sr Esther then returned to Villa Victoria Academy Trenton NJ her first assignment as a religious teacher, where she held the office of treasurer. She returned to Rome, Italy in 1982 to serve a six year term as a general councellor. In 1987 she accomplied the first sisters to India where a foundation was established. She remained there for three months facing the many challenges of a newly formed foundation. When she returned to the United States again, she did some part time teaching at St Peter Merchantville NJ and at St. Bartholowmew, Scotch Plains NJ In 1991 Sister was asked to serve as superior at Mother of the Church, Newport County Mayo Ireland and then she spent two years at the convent of St Lucy Medstead England. Sister returned to the US in 1996. She served as a archival assistant and was a formation team member instructing the young women in formation for enterance into the order. She instructed them in the Italian language and sewing. Sister retired to St Joseph Hall in 2009 and resided there until her death. She was a faithful daughter of St. Lucy Filippini.