"Esther Hannum was a good friend to the Republican town committee and a mentor and strong advocate of mine. There wasn’t a problem I asked Esther where she didn’t know the complete answer and probably the statute that went along with it.

In my early days of being on the Town Committee, Esther invited me to many State Central meetings and “showed me the ropes,” as she would call it. She introduce me to everyone and loved to participate in the debates that always took place at these meetings.

When I became Chairman, Esther was always available to help encourage me and gave me all the time I needed to understand the nuances of the political environment.

Esther was a my mentor and my friend and I will miss her sitting in the front row at all of our conventions, caucus and town committee meetings, making sure the proper Roberts Rule was used and discussions were kept in order.

If there is one thing I learned and will never forget from Esther - the American flag must always be on the right side of the speaker, and God help you if it wasn’t, she would get up and move it. She can count on me keeping up her vigilant effort.

Esther favorite words: The treasurer's report will stand until audited. I will make sure that will always be the way.

Esther will be missed by all the members of the Town Committee, and me most of all."
Mary Ann Turner

Esther R. Hannum
Born in Thompsonville section of Enfield on Jul. 8, 1925
Departed on Jun. 29, 2008 and resided in Enfield, CT.

Esther R. (Radosti) Hannum, 82, of Enfield, entered into eternal life on Sunday (June 29, 2008) at her home. She was the beloved wife of 50 years to the late Earle F. Hannum (April 18, 1999). Esther was born on July 8, 1925 in the Thompsonville section of Enfield, daughter of the late John and Dina (Bollino) Radosti and was a lifelong resident. She attended St. Joseph's Grammar School was a graduate of Enfield High School and attended St. Joseph College. Prior to her retirement in 1986 Esther was employed by the State of CT Department of Revenue as a Special Enforcement Agent for over 10 years. Esther was very active in the Enfield Community. She was a member of the Enfield Town Committee, Republican State Central Committee, Enfield Senior Citizen's Bus Committee, Enfield Recycling Commission, Several Charter Revision Committee and Co-author Enfield Town Charter, Tax Assessor Town of Enfield, Seventh Senatorial District Committee Women, Congressional Aide to Tom Meskill and Governor's Aide to Tom Meskill, member of Holy Family Church and founder of the 1st Holy Family Women's Guild. She enjoyed gardening, birds, pets and collecting elephant collectables, a sports fan of the Red Sox, Celtics, Patriots and NASCAR Racing. A devoted and dedicated mother and grandmother Esther is survived by her loving family; a son, Earle John Hannum of Winsted, a daughter, Dianne E. Hannum of Torrington, a daughter, Gloria Gunther and her husband, John of Winsted, Marian Zytka of Medway, MA, Kathleen Banks and her husband, Norman of Stafford, her five beloved grandchildren; Christopher and John Strobel, Jenifer and Jason Gunther and Matthew Zytka. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews and friends. Esther was also predeceased by a brother, Peter Radosti and a sister, Marjorie (Radosti) O'Connor. A funeral procession will form on Thursday July 3, 2008 at 9am from Browne Memorial Funeral Chapels 43 Shaker Rd. Enfield to Holy Family Church for a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00am. Interment will take place in St. Patrick's King St. Cemetery, Enfield. Esther's family will receive relatives and friends on Wednesday July 2, 2008 from 4 to 8pm at Browne Memorial Funeral Chapels.

Memorial donations in her memory may be made to the Home and Community Health Services P.O. Box 1199 Enfield, CT 06083-1199.