Esther Marie Muylaert Doral (nee McComb), a longtime resident of Rochester Hills, passed away peacefully, surrounded by the love of her family in her home on Saturday, December 9, 2017. She was 96 years old.

Esther was born on September 29, 1921, the oldest child of Cecil Raymond and Fern Eleanor (nee Sphram) McComb in Battle Creek, Michigan. She moved with her family to Roseville where she spent most of her childhood. Esther graduated from Roseville High School in 1939 and married her beloved husband, Arthur Muylaert, a mere days after her graduation. The happy couple was United in Marriage at Sacred Heart Catholic Church of Roseville. Together, they were blessed with five beautiful daughters; Marlene, Shirley, Arlene, Judy, and Ann. A family that was always on the move, Esther made her home in Warren and Emmett before finally settling to Utica. Esther worked for many years as the children’s clothing manager of Federal’s Department Store in Roseville. She also helped her husband farm their land for many years, and sometimes traveled to sell at Eastern Market seven days a week. After thirty-four years of marriage, she lost her beloved husband on July 24, 1972. For the rest of her life, Esther relied on her faith for strength and guidance, even into the final days of her life. A few years after Arthur’s passing, she met and married Walter Doral, making her home in Rochester Hills for over forty years. They married in 1976 at St. Lawrence Catholic Church in Utica.

Being a woman of very strong faith, she regularly attended Mass at St. Lawrence and always finished the evening with dinner at her favorite Chinese restaurant. She could always be spotted on the dance floor with her beloved husband, and they were regularly known to be the first ones on and the last ones off. Esther was also known for her wonderful cooking, especially delicious pies around the holidays. She also enjoyed sewing and crocheting, making a variety of blankets and curtains for the entire family. Along with her husband, they maintained beautiful flowers beds and a welcoming home for many family gatherings. She also loved watching college football games as well as The Lawrence Welk Show, continuing to sing along well into her 90s. Above all, she especially enjoyed spending time with all of her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren. As a grandmother to all, she carried deeply about all of her family and loved to always hear from everyone; whether with a phone call, visit, or card. Her smile and kindness will truly be missed by all who knew her, but memories of her will continue on in all who loved her.

Esther is the beloved mother of Judy Vallelunga; loving mother-in-law of Charles Moses and Walter Vallelunga; cherished grandmother of twenty-two; dear great-grandmother of forty-five; and great-great-grandmother of twenty-two. She is survived by many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Esther was preceded in death by her parents; daughters Marlene Moses, Shirley (the Late Samuel) Rhodes, Arlene Smith, and Ann (the Late Donald) Sanders; husbands Arthur Muylaert and Walter Doral; siblings Bud McComb, Virginia (the Late Kenneth) Clark, Cecil (the Late Lucy) McComb Jr., Phyllis Woodham, Melvin (the late Anna Mae) McComb, and William McComb.

Visitation will be held on Friday, December 15, 2017 from 1pm until 8pm at the Wm. Sullivan and Son Funeral Home, 8459 Hall Road (3 blocks East of Van Dyke), Utica, Michigan with a 7pm Rosary. A funeral Mass will be celebrated on December 16, 2017 at 10am at St. Lawrence Catholic Church, 44633 Utica Rd, Utica, Michigan. Instate at the church beginning at 9:30am. Internment at Resurrection Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Capuchin Soup Kitchen.

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