October 16, 1951 – January 20, 2025
Olean, NY Esther M. Desnoyers, 73, of Olean, formerly of Allegany, passed away unexpectedly
Monday (January 20, 2025) at her home.
Born October 16, 1951 in Olean, she was the daughter of Thomas Scott and Louise Decker Scott
Maynard. She was formerly married to Patrick Barrett of Ceres who survives. On August 22, 1998 she
married Paul R. Desnoyers who predeceased her August 7, 2021.
Over the course of 12 years while working and raising a family, Esther attended Jamestown Community
College, received degrees in both elementary and special education at Alfred University, and finished her
Master’s program at St. Bonaventure University. She credited the Sisters from the Motherhouse where
she worked part time for their encouragement to continue her schooling.
She taught special education classes at BOCES in Belmont for several years, and later worked for their
GED program in Olean High School prior to her retirement.
Esther was always active outside of work and her home. She served on the board of the SPCA in
Cattaraugus County, volunteered at the Cattaraugus County Health Department, and along with her
husband Paul, she was active for years in the Allegheny Highlands Council Boy Scouts of America.
She leaves behind her 5 children, Patrick (Jan) Barrett of Fort Wayne, IN, Paul (Tammy) Barrett of
Peckville, PA, Phillip (Kelly) Barrett of Hinsdale, Peter (Angela) Barrett of Amherst and Jackline (Steve
Aloi) Barrett Whitus of Allegany; a stepson Michael (Stephanie) Desnoyers of San Francisco, CA; 10
grandchildren Erin and Jason Barrett of Fort Wayne, IN, Courtney (Tim Stromeski) Hilliard of Olean,
Cody Barrett of FL, Dylan Barrett of Peckville, Christopher Barrett of Arcade, Chris Gelser of
Binghamton, Amy (Jacob) Goode of Olean, Ryan and Alyssa Barrett of Amherst; 6 great grandchildren,
Brooke Miller, Brandi Miller, Rebecca Miller, Penelope Goode, Declan Goode, and Emily Stanford; 1
brother Tommy (Celeste) Scott of North Carolina; 3 sisters, Carol (Randy) Curtis of Duke Center, PA,
Patricia (Gary) Baldwin of Olean, and Mary (Donald) Haddock of Grifton, NC; a brother-in-law, Robert
Best of Cuba, and many nieces and nephews.
Esther is also survived by her Best Friends Paula Swier and Bill & Allyson Sponsler.
In addition to her husband Paul, she was predeceased by a sister Dawn Best of Cuba.
Friends are invited to gather for a service in Esther’s memory on Sunday (January 26, 2025) at 3pm at
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1935 Windfall Rd., Olean. Bishop Mobley will officiate.
Burial will be next to Paul in the Spring in Portage Township Cemetery in Pennsylvania.
Memorials may be made to the Parkinsons Foundation, WNY Chapter,2805 Wehrle Dr., Buffalo, NY
14221 (www.parkinson.org), or to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1935 Windfall Rd.,
Olean, NY 14760.
Arrangements are with the Casey, Halwig & Hartle Funeral Home, Olean.
