Esther Speed, 61 of Cape Coral Fl, passed away on March 15, 2014.

She was born to the late Rosetta Symms, in Brooklyn, New York , on April 7,1952 and was adopted by Lillian Gollman of Punta Gorda, FL. Esther graduated from Erasmus Hall High School in 1970. She later met and married James Speed on September 15,1982. Esther attended Lee Vocational School and graduated as a surgical technologist in 1988 in Fort Myers, FL. Esther retired from the Department of Veterans Affairs in 2010.

Esther was a beloved member of the community and a devoted church member. She was a strong advocate and member of the cancer fighters association of Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA). She enjoyed cooking, shopping, traveling, fishing, helping others and spending time with her family.

Esther is survived by her committed and devoted husband of 31 years, James Speed; two children, William (Amera) Franklin Jr., and Tara Speed; one step-son, Eric Speed; grandson, William Franklin III; two brothers, Robert (Cherrie) Hill, Kasim Ali; two aunts, Ida Smith and Vancila (Donald) Williams; four brother in-laws, Jerry (Mary) Speed, Wimberly (Dorothy) Speed, Dennis Wilcox, William Wilcox; one sister in-law, Patricia Montgomery; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.