Obituary for Esther C Janowsky
Esther Janowsky, MD/PhD, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family on July 22,
2022.
The oldest of five children, Esther was born in Louisiana on March 10, 1941, to her parents
Harold and Lillian. She spent most of her childhood in Corcoran, California. She began her
studies at Stanford University in 1958, and continued on to medical school at the University of
California, San Francisco as one of 10 women in her class of 110.
Esther met her future husband, David, at a party following her first year of medical school, and,
after a whirlwind courtship, they were married three months later. The life that Esther and
Dave built over 60 years of marriage is a testament to their love and caring for each other and
for those around them.
Esther graduated from UCSF in 1965 as a member of the Gold-Headed Cane Society, an honor
bestowed upon the three top medical students in her class who exemplified the qualities of a
“true physician.” Her family believes she was only the second woman to receive this honor
since its launch in 1939. After completing her internship and residency, Esther practiced as an
academic anesthesiologist for nearly 20 years. She was revered as a mentor and teacher at
Vanderbilt, UCSD, and UNC-Chapel Hill, all while raising her six children. A lifelong learner, she
again became a student while in Chapel Hill, and earned an MPH and a PhD in Epidemiology
from UNC-Chapel Hill, studying the link between vitamin D and breast cancer.
Esther and Dave loved Chapel Hill, but they were Californians at their core. In 2011, after 25
years away, they returned to San Diego. They spent the next decade connecting with old and
new friends, watching their grandchildren play in the backyard, and doting on their dog Ozzie.
Esther loved playing bridge and meeting with friends in multiple book clubs, eating out, going to
the movies and the theater, and walking Ozzie. She and Dave also traveled extensively around
the country and the world. One of Esther’s last trips was an amazing visit in September 2021 to
Glacier National Park with her four daughters.
Esther was an avid and lifelong sports fan, and particularly loved cheering on the Carolina
Tarheels basketball team and the San Diego Padres.
Esther was a charming, warm, supportive, super-smart, strong, witty, sparkling, and
extraordinary woman who lived a full and remarkable life.
Esther was preceded in death by her parents and her sister Carol. She is survived by her
husband Dave, sons Steve (Emily) and Ted (Alisa), daughters Sonia (Garrett), Kara (Joe), Anya
(Justin), and Mariel; her sister Janel and brothers Michael and Joseph; and nine grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held in San Diego at a future date.
2022.
The oldest of five children, Esther was born in Louisiana on March 10, 1941, to her parents
Harold and Lillian. She spent most of her childhood in Corcoran, California. She began her
studies at Stanford University in 1958, and continued on to medical school at the University of
California, San Francisco as one of 10 women in her class of 110.
Esther met her future husband, David, at a party following her first year of medical school, and,
after a whirlwind courtship, they were married three months later. The life that Esther and
Dave built over 60 years of marriage is a testament to their love and caring for each other and
for those around them.
Esther graduated from UCSF in 1965 as a member of the Gold-Headed Cane Society, an honor
bestowed upon the three top medical students in her class who exemplified the qualities of a
“true physician.” Her family believes she was only the second woman to receive this honor
since its launch in 1939. After completing her internship and residency, Esther practiced as an
academic anesthesiologist for nearly 20 years. She was revered as a mentor and teacher at
Vanderbilt, UCSD, and UNC-Chapel Hill, all while raising her six children. A lifelong learner, she
again became a student while in Chapel Hill, and earned an MPH and a PhD in Epidemiology
from UNC-Chapel Hill, studying the link between vitamin D and breast cancer.
Esther and Dave loved Chapel Hill, but they were Californians at their core. In 2011, after 25
years away, they returned to San Diego. They spent the next decade connecting with old and
new friends, watching their grandchildren play in the backyard, and doting on their dog Ozzie.
Esther loved playing bridge and meeting with friends in multiple book clubs, eating out, going to
the movies and the theater, and walking Ozzie. She and Dave also traveled extensively around
the country and the world. One of Esther’s last trips was an amazing visit in September 2021 to
Glacier National Park with her four daughters.
Esther was an avid and lifelong sports fan, and particularly loved cheering on the Carolina
Tarheels basketball team and the San Diego Padres.
Esther was a charming, warm, supportive, super-smart, strong, witty, sparkling, and
extraordinary woman who lived a full and remarkable life.
Esther was preceded in death by her parents and her sister Carol. She is survived by her
husband Dave, sons Steve (Emily) and Ted (Alisa), daughters Sonia (Garrett), Kara (Joe), Anya
(Justin), and Mariel; her sister Janel and brothers Michael and Joseph; and nine grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held in San Diego at a future date.