Esther Rooney, 98, of Williams Street, died peacefully at home on Monday, Dec. 12, 2016 surrounded by her loving family. She was the wife of the late John J. Rooney. 

Born in Providence, a daughter of the late Francisco J. and Anna A. (Xavier) Dias, she lived in Barrington for 16 years. 

Mrs. Rooney worked at Davol Rubber Co. for 33 years before retiring in 1983. 

Esther was a communicant of St. Luke Church, Barrington. She was a volunteer at the Cleary School. She enjoyed spending time with her loving family. 

She is survived by two daughters, Mary M. Higney and her husband Dwight of Barrington and Jacqueline A. Moran and her husband Gerald of Coventry; two sons, Donald J. Rooney of North Kingstown and Matthew L. Rooney and his wife Erin of Narragansett; 13 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. She was the mother of the late Isabel Rooney and sister of the late Anna Cardose, Francis, Frederick and David Dias. 

Her funeral will be held on Friday, Dec. 15, from the W. Raymond Watson Funeral Home, 350 Willett Ave., Riverside at 10:15 a.m. with a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Luke Church, Washington Road, Barrington at noon. Burial will follow in Gate of Heaven Cemetery. 

Calling hours are Friday morning from 10:15 to 11:15 a.m. Flowers are respectfully omitted. Contributions in Esther’s memory to St. Luke Church, 108 Washington Road, Barrington, RI, 02806 or to Hope Hospice & Palliative Care, 1085 North Main Street, Providence, RI, 02904 would be deeply appreciated.