Esther Davidian

Esther Davidian, born Esther Contreras, passed away peacefully on January 11, 2026, at the age of 81, in Houston, Texas, with her daughter by her side. One of nine children, Esther was born on September 24, 1944, in Harlingen, Texas, to Abel and Ana Maria Contreras. Esther spent her early years in Texas before moving to Indiana, where she graduated from Arsenal Technical High School in Indianapolis. She later moved to California with her family, living for many years in Fresno and Los Angeles. For much of her life, she stayed at home raising her daughter, a role she embraced fully and joyfully. She was the parent who never missed an event, always present, always encouraging, and always ready with quiet support. Family was the center of Esther’s life, and she devoted herself wholeheartedly to those she loved. In 1993, Esther returned to Indiana with her daughter and began a new chapter working as a teaching assistant in an elementary school. Helping children and guiding them as they learned to read was more than a job; it was a lifelong passion and calling. She approached each child with patience, gentleness, and respect, recognizing their God-given worth and potential. Esther often introduced her own thoughtful ideas into the classroom, enhancing the way children learned and creating a more nurturing and effective environment for them to grow. Although she found great fulfillment in her work, in 2008, Esther jumped at the chance to move to Houston to help her daughter care for her newborn son. Becoming a daily presence in her grandson’s life was one of her greatest blessings, and she embraced this role with the same devotion and love that defined everything she did. A deeply devoted Christian, Esther lived her life grounded in a steadfast faith in Jesus Christ. Her trust in God shaped the way she loved and served others and sustained her through every season of life. She believed firmly in prayer and in reflecting God’s love not through grand gestures, but through quiet acts of kindness, service, compassion, and consistency. Esther had a love of books that was unmatched. Her daughter often joked that she grew up living in a library, as their house was always filled with books, and Esther was rarely without a book close at hand. Reading brought her joy, peace, and connection to the world. Even in her final days, when she was no longer able to read, being surrounded by books brought her comfort and ease. Esther also had a creative spirit and found great joy in craft projects, particularly making handmade cards for others. Each one reflected Esther’s generous heart and her desire to bring light and comfort to others. Esther will be remembered for her unwavering faith, her servant’s heart, her devotion to family, her love of children and learning, and the many quiet ways she reflected the love of Christ. While she will be deeply missed, her family finds peace and comfort in knowing she is now whole, restored, and rejoicing in the presence of her Lord and Savior. Esther is survived by her beloved daughter, Jill Davidian; her grandson, Caiden Lee; her sister, Lea Glesing; her brothers, Josue Contreras (and his wife Joy Contreras) and Abel Contreras; her sister-in-law, Barbara Contreras; and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews, along with a wide circle of extended family who loved her dearly. She is reunited in Heaven with those who preceded her in death, including her parents, Abel and Ana Maria Contreras; her sisters, Ruth Balch, Loida Sosa, and Juanita Davis; and her brothers, Asael Contreras and Gama Contreras. A committal service will be held on January 31, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at Woodlawn Garden of Memories, 1101 Antoine Dr, Houston, TX 77055, followed by a reception at the home of Jill Davidian in Houston, Texas. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.” — Proverbs 3:5–6

Esther Davidian

September 24, 1944 - January 11, 2026