She was preceded in death by her parents: Elsie and Opal Mathews, three sisters Patty Like, Betty Page, and Thelma Nowaskie, one niece Lisa Ann Nowaskie Welton, and her husband of 49 years, Colonel Andrew Olaf Lerche, USAF Retired.
Survivors include a daughter Neena M Jud (Werner Jud), grandson Nathan A Jud (Sarah DeWitt), one brother Louis Mathews, one sister Margaret Page, and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was a strong, independent woman who always loved reading and entertaining. Memorable moments included living in Japan with Andrew after WWII, receiving a corsage from Cecil B. DeMille, pouring tea for Mamie Eisenhower and adopting Neena.
Estelle had many varied jobs in her working career including candy striper, telephone operator, internal mail delivery at an aircraft factory, store display designer, sales clerk, and hairstylist with her own beauty salon. She enjoyed people. Even in her later years she found ways to be helpful to her family, friends and neighbors.
Interment to join her husband will be in a private service at Arlington Memorial Cemetery, Washington D.C.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Public Library of Cincinnati & Hamilton County, Crossroads Hospice Charitable Foundation, or any Adoption Agency.
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