Esther Anita Swaby, of Pickering, ON, passed away on Tuesday, January 27, 2026 at Scarborough Health Network – Scarborough Centenary Hospital surrounded by her loved ones.

Esther was born in St. Michael, Barbados to “Dolly” Grimes and Leon Evans Yearwood on January 21. She excelled in school, always achieving the top three spots in her classes. After graduating from the Modern High School, Esther travelled to England to begin her new life. Esther worked with the London Transport briefly. She embarked into the nursing field shortly thereafter. In England, she encountered the very dashing and debonair Eric Swaby and in September 1965, they married after three years of ‘courting’. In 1966, Joyce was born and shortly after that, Eric and Esther left England and ventured to Canada. In 1969, their second daughter, Jacqueline, was born. After Jacqueline’s birth, Esther retired from her nursing career at Baycrest Hospital.

In the early to mid 70s, Eric and Esther left Toronto and moved to Pickering and in 1978, the youngest of the three girls was born (Ericka).

Esther was actively doing things with her family, advocating for her girls and always there when others needed her. When Ericka began her fundraising, Esther was right beside her, being her biggest champion, all the while being the best wife, mother and friend one could ever ask for.

Esther has gone home to be with the Lord to join her daughter Ericka (who passed away in 2022) and has left behind her Husband (Eric), Daughters (Joyce and Jacqueline), Grandsons (Justin, Todge and Kirass), Great-granddaughter (J’Reya), Great-grandsons (Quinn and Nico) and many other extended family members and friends both near and far.

The Swaby Family wishes to extend their sincerest thanks to family and friends who have expressed their deepest condolences, endless prayers and ongoing support during these most challenging times.