I am so sorry for your great loss and please accept my deepest sympathy, lovely family.  I will always remember how happy she was when I would  put her on the kitchen bench while I prepared meals for David and Glen.  Esther is truly one of Heavenly Fathers elect and the Gold Coast, Australia,  was truly blessed to have your  family with us for a time.  Alison Bosse 

We are deeply saddened by this heartbreaking news. You were an incredible soul—kind, generous, and full of light. Our hearts go out to your children and all those whose lives you touched. We love you dearly and will keep you in our prayers. May God be with you until we meet again, dear friend. Your memory will live on in all of us.

With love,

Carlos and Mariana Gámez

Dear Esther,

Your love and passion were truly contagious. You touched so many lives with your warmth and light. It’s hard to believe you’re gone — we will deeply miss your beautiful soul.

My heartfelt condolences to your children, family, and all who loved you.

With love and remembrance,

Verónica De Armas.

I’ve known Esther since school, and I can still see her now — in our physics and math class, with her wild hair, books in hand, that huge smile, and her infectious laugh and personality. She radiated such natural positive energy — fun, loving, and always looking out for others.

Not only was Esther incredibly intelligent and committed to her studies, she was also exceptionally creative — one of the most passionate people I’ve ever met. She always had the biggest dreams; no ceiling was ever too high for her. She constantly strived to achieve more.

Esther was deeply family-oriented, and her love for her own children was so clear to see. Despite not being in touch regularly, she found time to offer me advice during my own pregnancy — something I will always remember and cherish.

From school classes and trips, to her visiting me at uni, to our video calls when she moved to Utah — I will forever hold on to those memories.

This is heartbreaking news. But I know Esther touched so many lives in such a positive way — she will live on through all of us who carry her memory.

Rest peacefully, darling Esther.

I met Esther when she reached out to me via Instagram and asked if we could be friends. Not just friends with a social media friendship but a real life friendship. She asked for my phone number to text me about a get together she was going to plan. Shortly after I gave her my number, im talking, minutes, she called me just to chat. I still remember sitting on my living room couch and answering that phone call. I don’t love phone calls and especially with someone I’d only chatted with in DM’s, it felt a little daunting hitting the answer button. She immediately started talking to me like we had been friends since childhood.

She organized a get together of women, some she knew and some she didn’t know other than on social media to have some like-minded conversations. I’m a social person but I almost bailed on going up to her house a couple times because I wasn’t going to know a single soul there. It would also be my first time meeting Esther in person. Well that night I connected with strangers (and Esther) that are now people I consider dear friends.

Almost every time we hung out after that, we ended up singing and dancing for hours. If I needed a side kick at a birthday party in slc and didn’t feel like I’d know many people, she’d drop everything and be my plus one. When I decided to get tickets to see the Backstreet Boys the day of their concert, I asked her if she’d come with me and she immediately replied yes.

One night, she gathered a bunch of us to hang out and asked us to bring PowerPoints on something. Hilarity ensued. That same night she pulled out her stair slide that her kiddos played on and I decided it would be a good thing to go down the slide on my knees with no socks on. More than a little skin was lost to that slide from the tops of my feet. I was in so much pain but we couldn’t stop laughing as she dressed my wounds and put burn cream + bandaids on my feet.

After attending a Halloween party together once, she’d send me couples costumes that we should do together the next year.

One night, after hanging out downtown, we were walking to our car and an impromptu DJ started playing Latin music on the sidewalk. Immediately there were so many people and we joined in on the dancing. It started to rain and everyone kept dancing. She and I held on to each other and I’ll never forget literally dancing in the rain with her.

Esther was pure magic. She is one of the most genuine and passionate people I’ve ever met. She was fantastical. There’s no other way to say it but she was larger than life. She could be crude and crass which never ceased to be a shock coming from such a beautiful woman from polite society but I loved her all the more that. She was also the silliest and had the most childlike fascination and excitement for the tiniest things.

She created space for everyone. She laughed hard and loved very, very hard. She felt so, so deeply which is a magnificent blessing but at times for her, a deep and dreaded curse. That duality is what made Esther one of the most interesting people I’ve ever met. That coupled with her entire life story was astounding.

I couldn't be anything but 100% myself with her. There were never any judgements from her. We'd rage at the patriarchy together and dance and laugh until we couldn't do it anymore. Sometimes she’d get the most wild and fantastical ideas and I felt bad having to sometimes bring her back down to earth but she could get so deeply wrapped up in the beauty and/or ugliness of things.

I’m grateful I got to know her for a brief moment in time. I’m grateful for her calls. I’m grateful for her texts and DM’s. I’m grateful to have been on the receiving end of her immense generosity. She shared her heart and love and excitement so openly. Her generosity also extended to our nights out. She frequently paid for the tab and filled up the gas in my car just because she wanted to. I’d refuse and protest but she’d just say, “get the tab next time!” And then would never let me cover the tab the next time too.

I’ll never ever, ever forget Esther. 

I’m heartbroken to hear of this news. I hold Esther dear in my heart, she was such a warm and loving soul. 

I have wonderful memories of her while we were young adults in London. She was always welcoming and non-judgemental. She lit up the room wherever she went. She was an inspiration to follow your dreams. She was daring and full of life. 

Her beautiful smile will forever be remembered. 

To all our dear Gubbay family, 

We love you and send you our love at this difficult time. It is not easy to put in words what the heart feels, but we hope you can feel how loved you are. You have been part of our special time in Fuengirola, Málaga, which is one of our happiest times in our lives. I particularly loved spending time with you when you took me along on a family vacation to France, and then to Granada as well. I went as a young teenager to, supposedly, help out with all those cute boys and beautiful daughter... but I felt like one more child among you all, being just part of your family, and enjoying such a fun time together those two wonderful weeks. You made me feel welcome and I have never forgotten that wonderful experience in my life, expending those days with you. 

I never had sisters; just like Esther, I have always been surrounded by brothers. When she found out she would have more brothers, I told her that being the only girl wasn't that bad, trying to encourage her, just like I tried to encouraged myself for not having a sister to play with. It is actually pretty cool to be the only one, and I really feel she was a gorgeous flower among all those cute boys that love her so much.  We are so sorry for your loss. All my love to you, boys, and to your dear parents... and all the family. 

We love you Esther <3

Always yours,

Noemi López & Familia López

Esther, I remember when you and your family first moved to Dubai. Meeting you felt otherworldly— this amazing French-Australian tri-lingual beauty. 

You were the only daughter in your family, yet you were so confident and unapologetically feminine. As the oldest daughter in my family, where I didn’t have a big sister to help me navigate growing up, I knew when I met you that I had found my role model.

You were called into young women’s and no one was more excited than me. I remember a YW sleepover where you had us over and did our hair and makeup, we got to wear your beautiful clothes, and we did a photo shoot with your nice camera. It was then that I felt like I had a big sister, and you were everything I dreamed of in an older sister: funny, confident, educated, fashionable, graceful, thoughtful, and kind.

As anolder sister, you took your role seriously. You plotted, orchestrated, timed, and connived to arrange for me to receive a rose from someone for Valentine’s Day. When you pulled off your elaborate plot, I’ve never see anyone look so proud and ecstatic! You were beaming. You were the mastermind and skillful Cupid. 

You were the Galinda to this Elphaba. You helped me with what to wear, how to do makeup, and had the most easygoing reactions to things. You had good big sister advice for being a teenager and all the emotional ups and downs. I remember you adored and nurtured the other YW too. They all adored you too, but secretly I felt like your favorite little sis and I relished it.

You had a beautiful wedding in Dubai. You let me participate in an honorary role in the wedding party, at an incredible waterfront venue, and I was so delighted. My one and only job was to tell you how beautiful you looked, but somehow it was the other way around. You wanted to make sure I felt special and beautiful. You built me up so much. You were always looking out and thinking of others. 

No one would deny how much you loved your family. One thing that was uniquely and very “Gubbay” to me was the whole family pausing life, canceling any obligations, dropping everything to go pick up another family member from the Dubai airport. It was like a national holiday every single time, and not infrequent either! With so many siblings coming and going, traveling, studying, and having extended family in different countries, you were always going with your family to the airport. It was a big celebration. Everyone who was there in Dubai would go together and pick up the person arriving, and it was a huge and all-day-celebrated family event. I admired your love and closeness for your family. You were there for them.

I loved seeing you relax with your siblings and parents at home. It was on the Palm, and your living room faced the beach. It was evening, and the patio door was open, and a breeze went through the house. You had these white, low, wide couches, and everyone lounged back so comfortably together. You were witty and funny and kept up with everyone. You had nicknames for your little brothers. You loved being with your family and loved them fiercely.

Just a week ago, before you passed, I thought of you. It was from our time in YW, upstairs in the little room in our rented Dubai villa-chapel. There were 5 or so of us there. It was Sunday, and for our lesson, we were water coloring our favorite temples. You were doing the lesson, and you had already finished yours - It was an effortless, beautiful painting sitting in front of the class on the chalkboard. As we were sketching, you told us a story from your time in London when you felt God’s love. You were walking out of the tube, praying. You were carrying something heavy in your heart, stress about exams, stress about the future. But as you climbed the stairs towards the exit, you looked up and saw the most beautiful sunset. It made you pause in awe. You described the comfort, light, wonder, and stillness you felt in that moment. You knew that God loved you. Having seen your talent for art, I can’t help but wonder if God showed you something special, something only his precious artist daughter could fully appreciate.

Esther I wish I would’ve reached out to you one more time to tell you the impact you had on me. You’ll always be a big sister to me. I will cherish the time we had together and the huge influence you had on my life. Thank you. I know that you rest in God’s loving care. 

If Gubbay airport welcomings are anything compared to heavenly welcomings, I can barely imagine the family that lovingly welcomed you home. 

I love you. God bless you. I’ll look for a special heavenly sunset painted by you for us. 

Dear Gubay Family,

I am in deep shock upon hearing the news of Esther’s passing.

I met Esther during our time together in London, and I was profoundly impressed by her energetic personality and by the bond you shared as siblings.

I wish your entire family strength and comfort in this incredibly difficult time.

You are in my thoughts, and I’m sending you all my love and deepest condolences.

Love, Constantin